The Election Violence Victims Relief Committee set up by the Osun State Government to verify claims arising from the August 15 governorship election has recommended free medical treatment for gunshot victims and educational scholarships for children who lost parents to election-related violence.
The committee made the recommendations during a visit to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) in Osogbo, where members met with injured survivors and assured them of government support.
One of the victims, Adebayo Sakirat, recounted how she lost her pregnancy after hoodlums invaded her neighbourhood before the election, forcing her to flee amid gunfire and causing her to fall.
Other survivors, including Salafudeen Kehinde and Kamorudeen Sodiq, also narrated how they narrowly escaped gun violence following the election.
The Chief Medical Director of UNIOSUNTH, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, said the hospital had so far identified 15 gunshot victims.
He said four of the victims were currently receiving treatment, while arrangements were being made to receive others.
Representing the committee chairman and Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Egbedun, Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi said the committee had reviewed cases involving more than 40 families who lost relatives.
He said medical assistance had been prioritized for victims suffering complications or facing difficulties financing their treatment.
According to Adeyemi, the committee has reviewed more than 400 claims, including cases involving gunshot injuries, amputations and destruction of property.
He further stated that more than 90 per cent of the claims reviewed had been verified as genuine cases of electoral violence, while a small number remained unverified because applicants could not be reached.
Adeyemi said the committee is now in the final stage of its assignment and is expected to submit its report within the next week.
He added that the Speaker would subsequently issue a comprehensive public statement on the committee’s findings and recommendations.
