A 15-year-old pupil, Bello Hassan, who regained freedom after spending 56 days in the custody of kidnappers following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has declared that the traumatic experience will not stop him from returning to school.
Hassan made the declaration on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Ogbomoso shortly after he and other rescued victims were discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, where they underwent medical treatment and psychological rehabilitation.
Recounting his ordeal, the teenager said he was writing a test when armed men invaded the school and forced pupils and teachers into the forest at gunpoint.
"I was worried about my parents because there was nobody to rescue us. We were writing a test when the gunmen entered the school. As soon as we saw their weapons, we became frightened and they ordered us to follow them into the bush," he said.
Hassan disclosed that the victims trekked throughout the day before arriving at the kidnappers' camp around 7pm, adding that they were moved between different hideouts during their captivity.
"We walked for almost a whole day before getting to where they kept us. After that, they continued moving us from one place to another for several days," he said.
According to him, the abductors initially directed the female captives to prepare meals before taking over the cooking themselves. He added that they all slept under trees and were only covered with nylon sheets whenever it rained.
"The gunmen cooked rice for us after some time. Whenever rain started, they covered us with nylon because we stayed outside under trees," he added.
The pupil said although the kidnappers did not physically assault the students, they frequently flogged the teachers and imposed strict restrictions on everyone in captivity.
"They didn't beat us, but they regularly flogged our teachers. We were not allowed to move around or do anything without their permission," Hassan said.
On reports that two teachers, identified as Mr Michael and Deacon, were killed by the abductors, Hassan said he did not witness the incident because it happened at another location.
Asked whether the experience had discouraged him from pursuing his education, the teenager insisted he remained determined to return to the classroom.
"I am not afraid. By God's grace, I will go back to school," he said.
Hassan was among the 44 pupils and teachers rescued on July 10 after they spent 56 days in captivity following the May 15 attack on three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The victims were later admitted to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, for medical evaluation and psychological support before being discharged.
0 Comments