The lives of over 280 pupils and students in Kuriga hang in the balance 48 hours after they were abduction from school.
But the escape of two of the abducted students from terrorists showcases bravery amid cruelty and the will to fight for survival.
It was a display of bravery and the will to survive as 13-year-old Mustapha Abubakar summoned the courage to escape from the bandits who unleashed terror on their school in Kuriga, where no fewer than 287 students were abducted.
Mustapha said that, having trekked more than two and a half hours in the bush, the thought of agonising torture and the cruelty of the terrorists made him take his destiny into his own hands.
According to him, they were completely exhausted during the long walk to the unknown destination; he was engrossed with the thought to escape, and when the opportunity came, he grabbed it.
Like Mustapha, nine-year-old pupil, Abdullahi Usman also defied the consequences, even at the verge of losing his life, to escape.
A resident of Kuriga, Shehu Lawal still has one of his children in terrorists captivity. He said that life has never been the same in his family since the abduction.
Khalid Ahmed is still grieving the demise of his brother, who could not live to tell the story of how the terrorists stormed Kuriga while running for his life.
Kuriga is now in a state of disarray. Although the terrorists have not yet demanded ransom, if they do, the residents say it will be difficult to raise whatever amount might be required.
The vast majority of the students, boys, and girls who still remain in captivity may not have the courage or the will to take the daredevil move to escape. Their hope now solely lies on security agencies and the government to lead them through the path of freedom.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)