Academic activities have resumed at Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State following the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers, but fear and uncertainty continue to grip the school community due to inadequate security presence.
A teacher at the school, who spoke anonymously in an interview, revealed that although students and staff have returned to class after spending nearly two months in captivity, many remain deeply shaken by the incident.
According to him, school attendance initially dropped significantly after the abduction, with many parents reluctant to send their children back due to safety concerns.
However, the successful rescue of the victims has gradually restored confidence among both parents and students.
“We could only meet about half of the students when we resumed. Many parents kept their children at home out of fear. But after the rescued victims returned, more students began coming back,” he said.
The teacher confirmed that normal academic activities, including examinations, have resumed. He added that students recently sat for their NECO English Language examination, signaling a gradual return to routine.
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Despite this progress, he noted that many teachers are still traumatized by the experience. Discussions about the abduction often trigger panic among staff members, highlighting the psychological impact of the incident.
“The fear is still there. When we talk about what happened, some of the teachers become anxious. It’s something we cannot ignore,” he admitted.
He called on the government to urgently strengthen security in rural schools, stressing that the absence of visible security personnel continues to heighten fears.
“Our major concern is security. If there were visible security operatives—police or military—it would help reduce the fear. Right now, there is none, and that makes teachers feel unsafe,” he added.
The victims were freed after spending about 57 days in captivity following a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies. Tragically, two teachers lost their lives during the attack.
While the return of students and staff marks a significant step forward, stakeholders say restoring a sense of safety remains critical to ensuring uninterrupted learning in the affected community.
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