Rescued pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire, Oyo State, after regaining their freedom following a 56-day captivity. Photo: X/@aonanuga1956
Parents of the rescued schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have expressed relief over the development, saying they are eagerly waiting to reunite with their children.
The victims, comprising pupils and teachers, were rescued by security operatives after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction by terrorists belonging to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, on May 15.
This was as Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed that the schoolchildren and teachers would be formally handed over to the state government on Monday.
Some of the parents, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, thanked the security agencies for securing the victims’ release but said the period of uncertainty had been traumatic for their families.
Speaking in Ogbomoso, mothers of the victims and the proprietor of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Mary Olorunlowu (35 years), Grace Adeyemi (60 years), Adijatu Ibrahim (35 years) and Pastor Sunday Oyekola said they were devastated and downcast by the incident.
One of the parents, Mary Olorunlowu, said the rescue had brought hope after days of anxiety, adding that the family could not wait to embrace the child.
“I have a child among the victims. Her name is Lydia Olorunlowu. She is 10 years old and in Primary 3, and I can’t wait to be reunited with her,” she said.
Another parent, Grace Adeyemi, said, “I have only one child there named Idowu Taiwo, aged four, and my child is in KG One. I was so happy when I heard the news that they were rescued and released yesterday (Friday). I was singing, dancing and rolling on the floor at the Community Chairman’s house. I was so excited that I regained my strength immediately after 56 days.”
A mother, Adijatu Ibrahim, described the news of the rescue as a huge relief, saying the families had endured sleepless nights since the abduction.
“We were full of joy yesterday when we heard of their freedom. We danced like David danced, and we couldn’t eat again when we heard that they had arrived. I only have a child there, and my child is eight years old and in Primary 2,” she said.
They all thanked President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, hunters, vigilante groups and others for rescuing their children.
Military to hand over victims to state govt Monday
Meanwhile, Makinde has disclosed that the rescued pupils and teachers would remain under observation for 48 hours before they are formally handed over to the state government.
The governor disclosed this on Saturday after visiting the rescued pupils and teachers receiving medical attention at the Headquarters of the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, the state capital, following their release from captivity.
“The rescued victims will remain under medical observation for the next 48 hours, after which an assessment will be conducted before their formal transfer from military authorities to the Oyo State Government for further management and rehabilitation,” he said.
The government described the rescue operation as a moment of gratitude and relief for the state.
“The rescue operation came with sacrifices,” Makinde added, revealing that “some security operatives lost their lives during the operation.”
The governor extended condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them that the sacrifices of their loved ones would not be in vain.
Speaking on the condition of the rescued victims, the governor disclosed that the pupils and teachers were happy to regain their freedom.
“Some of them appear physically weak and will require medical care and psychosocial support to overcome the post-traumatic experiences from their prolonged captivity,” he said.
Makinde also disclosed that arrangements were being made to bring family members to the barracks to see their loved ones, particularly noting the case of a young girl who had repeatedly asked for her mother since regaining her freedom.
He urged Nigerians to remain united in the face of security challenges, stressing that “difficult periods should serve as moments for collective action rather than division.”
The governor added that he would officially brief the people of the state and Nigerians in the coming week on the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the efforts that culminated in the successful rescue of the victims.
A community leader in Ahoro-Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of the state also confirmed that arrangements were being made for parents to reunite with their abducted children.
“The authorities have informed me that maybe the women whose children are among the victims will be brought to Ibadan to reunite with their children,” he said.
How I escaped kidnap incident — Eight-year-old pupil
Meanwhile, an eight-year-old pupil of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Faith Jacob, has narrated how she narrowly escaped during the abduction.
Speaking at the school premises on Saturday, Jacob, who spoke with the guidance of her mother, said she was among the abductees but summoned the courage, alongside one of her classmates, Grace, to escape while approaching a bridge linking the next community.
Jacob, a Nursery 3 pupil, while narrating her ordeal to our correspondent, said, “We were already in our class when the kidnappers came to our school. They started shooting sporadically to scare everybody. Some students jumped through the windows to evade being kidnapped.
“I was one of the students who were kidnapped alongside my classmate, Grace. They didn’t come with vehicle(s). So, as they were marching us towards a bridge and subsequently into the nearby bush, I summoned the courage to escape and ran away. Grace also followed me. We ran into the bush, and they didn’t shoot at us or chase us. We were two that escaped. The other girl is Grace. That’s how we escaped,” she explained.
Also speaking, the 60-year-old Proprietor of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Pastor Sunday Oyekola, recounted how he escaped the attack.
“As they entered the school premises, we left through the back doors, and before we realised what was going on, they had started shooting uncontrollably. Eyewitnesses said they were telling the children to move to the front until they got to the riverside and put them on the motorcycles.
“When I heard about their freedom, I was really happy yesterday, to the extent that I didn’t sleep till daybreak,” he added.
While advising both the Federal and State Governments, Oyekola called for the establishment of barracks in the area to forestall future occurrences.
The Punch
