A 15-year-old pupil, Bello Hassan, who was among the students and teachers kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has said he is prepared to return to school despite the difficult experience he went through during his 56 days in captivity.
Hassan shared his experience on Wednesday in Ogbomoso after he and other rescued victims were discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, where they received medical care and psychological support.
The teenager explained that the armed attackers invaded his school while he was taking a test and forced pupils and teachers into the forest.
He said the presence of the weapons made everyone afraid as they were ordered to leave the school premises and follow the attackers.
According to him, the victims spent a full day trekking before reaching the location where they were kept. He added that they were later moved between different camps during their time with the kidnappers.
Hassan said the captives lived in harsh conditions, staying under trees and relying on makeshift coverings whenever rainfall was expected.
He added that the abductors later took responsibility for preparing food for them after initially asking some female victims to cook.
He revealed that although the kidnappers did not physically harm the pupils, the teachers among them were regularly beaten and the captives were placed under strict rules.
The pupil said he did not witness the killing of two teachers identified as Mr Michael and Deacon because the incident happened in another location.
Hassan also stated that the kidnappers spoke different languages, including English and Hausa, while communicating among themselves and with the victims.
Despite the fear and hardship he experienced, the young student said he was not worried about returning to school and continuing his education.
Hassan was among the 44 pupils and teachers rescued on July 10 after they spent 56 days in captivity following an attack on three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
After their rescue, the victims were taken to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso for medical checks and psychological support before they were later released.
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