Tragedy befell a 14-year-old junior secondary school student in Bauchi State, Bashir Salisu, when the belt of a grinding machine accidentally plucked-off his two testicles.
It was gathered that Bashir, a student of Government Day Secondary School, Tudun Salmanu, who had written his JSS examination preparatory to seeking admission to senior secondary school, engages in the grinding of grains under the tutelage of a man at the Muda Lawal Market, Bauchi.
Narrating his ordeal to newsmen in pains at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH) Bauchi, Bashir said the sad event occurred on Friday around 10am when, in the course of running the engine, the rotating belt mistakenly got in contact with his baggy trousers and pulled him.
“When my trousers got entangled as a result of the fast rotating belt, it instantly severed my testicles and inflicted grave injuries on my private part.
“The pain was unbearable and I was rushed to the hospital, where medical personnel started treating me.
“Unfortunately, the testicles had gone and can no longer be replaced. The doctors confirmed that the situation is irredeemable”, said the student in tears.
Father of Bashir, Malam Salisu Mohammed, a farmer, said when the accident occurred, he had to struggle to contain himself.
“I felt highly disturbed initially but was able to collect myself later, believing that tragedies are ordained by God and must, therefore, be accepted when they happen.
“We have intensified prayers for his quick recovery, even though we have been made to understand by medical experts that his testicles are gone for good.
“We thank God that he survived the accident; he could have been dead by now and we must appreciate such luck
“Our major challenge now is footing the bill of his treatment; we are therefore seizing this opportunity to appeal for assistance from the government, individuals and organizations”, he said.
On her part, mother to Bashir, Mrs Aisha Salisu, told newsmen that she was traumatized by the ordeal of her son.
“He (son) had been weeping all through until now that he was able to collect himself; seeing him wept profusely touched me a lot and made me to express some emotions, but thank God, he is now calm,” she said.
Speaking on the condition of Bashir, a consultant urologist at the ATBU-TH, Dr Liman Usman, said the student sustained injuries on his scrotum and testicles caused by the belt of a grinding machine.
“His trouser got entangled in the belt of a grinding machine, leading to the complete abortion of the testicles and scrotum; both testicles were severed.
“He had lacerations on his private part but these were just bruises; the inner shaft was intact,” he said.
