Monkey Pox Vaccination scare spills into Akwa Ibom, Govt dispells rumors

Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Information, Mr.  Charles Udoh says there is no truth in the speculation that school children were being forcefully immunized yesterday by Personnel of the Nigerian Army.

 

 Mr.  Udoh stated this after apprehension by parents and guardians that Officers and men of the Army were forcefully immunizing pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in Uyo, Oron and Ibesikpo Asutan Local government Areas of the State.

He called on parents to remain calm.

Also, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong says the rumoured forceful immunization of primary and secondary school pupils was not true as it is not in the purview of the Army to carry out immunizations.

In Ibeasikpo Asutan Local Government Area, the Transition Committee chairman Mr.  

 Ukanna Udofia who visited Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nung Udoe,  with the Supervisor for Education and Police Divisional Crime Officer, to allay fears caused by the rumour,  met students and teachers hurrying out of the gate.

He said the Principal of the school confirmed that she got calls from people that some persons were going round to forcefully vaccinate students.

Still on the issue, the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army says it is untrue that its personnel dressed in Military Camouflage uniforms forcefully vaccinating students with an unknown substance.

Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army,  Major Suimar said the Army was not carrying out any medical outreach in schools pointing that the rumour was spread by those he called enemies of the State, who were intending to cause pandemonium among the general public. 

He explained that the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army was currently involved in Operation CROCODILE SMILE II, which was yielding tremendous successes especially in curbing the excesses and activities of criminals, cultists and other miscreants in Akwa Ibom State. 

The Army urged members of the public to report any case of imposters that may be seen trying to commit the said atrocity.