By Ado Oyeyemi
A 15-year-old pupil, Bello Hassan, who was among those abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has declared that he is ready to return to school despite spending 56 days in the custody of kidnappers.
Hassan spoke on Wednesday in Ogbomoso shortly after he and other rescued pupils and teachers were discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, where they received medical care and psychological support following their rescue.
Recalling the incident, the teenager said he was writing a test when armed men stormed the school and forced pupils and teachers into the forest at gunpoint.
He explained that the victims trekked throughout the day before arriving at the kidnappers’ camp around 7 p.m., adding that they were later moved between different hideouts during their captivity.
According to him, the abductors kept the victims under trees and used nylon sheets to shield them whenever it rained.
Hassan said the kidnappers initially instructed the female captives to prepare meals before eventually taking over the cooking themselves.
He noted that although the abductors did not physically assault the pupils, they regularly flogged the teachers and imposed strict restrictions on the captives, preventing them from moving about freely or engaging in recreational activities.
The pupil also disclosed that the kidnappers communicated in English, Hausa and other languages.
Speaking on the reported killing of two teachers, identified as Mr Michael and Deacon, Hassan said he did not witness the incident because the victims were killed at a different location.
Despite the traumatic experience, Hassan said he remained determined to continue his education.
“I am not afraid. By God’s grace, I will return to school,” he said.
Hassan was among the 44 pupils and teachers rescued on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity.
The victims were abducted during an attack on three schools in the Ahoro Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
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Following their rescue, they were admitted to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso for medical evaluation and psychological rehabilitation before being discharged.
