Mustapha Abubakar, one of the kidnapped pupils from Kuriga in Kaduna State, shared his harrowing experience with BBC Hausa Service after miraculously escaping from the bandits who abducted over 280 pupils and teachers. The incident occurred on March 7, 2024, when armed bandits invaded Government Secondary School and LEA primary school in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Abubakar revealed that the kidnappers treated them like a herd of cows, marching them through the bush. Recounting his escape, he mentioned how they traversed the bush on foot, some crawling due to exhaustion, and girls collapsing from weakness. The bandits transported them on motorcycles and ordered them to lie down and remove clothing when a plane hovered above.
The kidnapped victims were not given anything to eat, with the bandits resorting to consuming grass and rope in the forest. Abubakar managed to escape by cleverly hiding in the bush and crawling like a snake when he noticed a shrub that matched his trouser’s color. He stayed hidden until it was silent, then ventured out, eventually reaching the community of Gayan.
During the abduction, some pupils were lifted onto motorcycles as they crossed a big river to drink water. Abubakar, expressing gratitude for his escape, mentioned meeting an old man during his journey who assisted him in finding his way to safety.
Senator Uba Sani, who visited the scene of the attack along with senior government officials and security heads, assured the community that efforts were underway to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers. Governor Nasir El-Rufai also engaged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and security operatives in search of the missing individuals.
