'We Lived Under Trees,' Rescued Oyo Pupil Recounts 56-Day Captivity, Says He Will Return To School

A 15-year-old pupil, Bello Hassan, who was among the pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has recounted his 56-day ordeal in captivity, declaring that he is not afraid to return to school despite the traumatic experience.

Hassan spoke with journalists in Ogbomoso on Wednesday shortly after he and other rescued pupils and teachers were discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, where they received medical treatment and psychological support.

The teenager recalled that he was writing a test on May 15 when heavily armed terrorists stormed his school and forced pupils and teachers into the forest at gunpoint.

"When I was in captivity, I was scared that my parents were at home and there was nobody to save me. I was in school writing a test when the gunmen invaded the school. When we saw the guns with the gunmen, we were scared, and they ordered us to march out and follow them," Hassan said.

According to him, the victims trekked throughout the day before arriving at the terrorists' hideout around 7 p.m., after which they were moved from one camp to another.

"We didn't know where they took us, and we trekked for a day. We got to their location around 7 p.m. They moved us from one location to another for days," he said.

Hassan said the abductors initially asked the female victims to prepare meals before later taking over the cooking themselves.

"They cooked rice for us. They asked the females among us to cook for us, and later they started cooking for us. Whenever rain was about to fall, they covered us with nylon because we stayed under the tree," he said.

He explained that while the terrorists did not physically assault the pupils, they regularly flogged the teachers and imposed strict restrictions on the captives.

"The gunmen didn't beat us, but only flogged our teachers. They didn't allow us to play around or do whatever we liked," he added.

Asked whether he witnessed the killing of two teachers identified as Mr Michael and Deacon, Hassan said he did not, explaining that they were killed at a different location.

"No, I didn't witness it. They were killed in another place," he said.

He also disclosed that the abductors communicated in English, Hausa and other languages.

Despite spending 56 days in captivity, Hassan said he remains determined to continue his education.

"Since my return, I am not afraid. If God wills, I will return to school in the area," he said.

Hassan was among the 44 pupils and teachers rescued on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity following the May 15 attack on three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.