By: Olayinka Ganiyu
A teacher at Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State says pupils and staff have resumed academic activities following the rescue of abducted students and teachers, though anxiety persists over the lack of visible security around the school.
Speaking in a TVC interview uploaded on Wednesday, the teacher, who did not disclose his name, said classes resumed shortly after the victims regained their freedom following nearly two months in captivity.
He recalled that in the immediate aftermath of the abduction, only about half the students returned to school, as many parents kept their children home over safety fears.
“The teachers, the principals, everybody were around. But unfortunately, we could only meet about half of the students. So, what we did was just to encourage them that, very soon, by God’s grace, the remaining students and the students in the bush would be released,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for the successful rescue, noting that it had encouraged more students to return to class.
“We’ll give glory to God. On Friday, God did it. And we were able to come back to school on Monday,” he added.
He said the victims’ release had helped restore confidence among parents and pupils.
“When we were in school already, we were able to encourage the students to come in because the students and the teachers that were kidnapped, they are already in town. So, that will give them the boldness to come around,” he said.
Attendance has since improved, he said, and academic activities including examinations have resumed.
“By the grace of God, yesterday, we recorded an increased number of students in that school. And today, we just finished writing the NECO examination in our school. We wrote English Language. I’m one of the teachers coordinating and invigilating the students,” he said.
Despite the return to normalcy, the teacher admitted many colleagues remained deeply shaken by the ordeal.
“Somehow, because as I was interacting with some of my colleagues now, the fear is still there. We have to be sincere. The fear is still there,” he said, adding that conversations about the abduction still trigger panic among staff.
“One way or the other, we are still discussing the situation. So, when we mention the situation, when we talk about it, some of them will still be in panic,” he said.
He called on the government to strengthen security around rural schools, saying many teachers remained uncertain about their safety in the absence of visible security personnel.
“Coming from a government school to work in a village like this, some of the teachers are doubting; they are not very sure what the government has provided in the form of security,” he said, adding that a visible security presence would help ease staff and pupils’ fears.
“Our concern is basically on what governments are doing to boost the security of the whole place. So, if the security apparatus are in place, the fear will be a little bit down. But presently, because of the fact that you cannot see army, police around us in the school environment, the fear is still there,” he said.
Pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen from schools in Oriire Local Government Area had regained their freedom after 57 days in captivity, following a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies. Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and Esiyan Adegboye, were killed during the attack.
Great content! Keep up the good work!