The principal of the secondary school abducted alongside teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has recounted the harrowing 56-day ordeal in captivity, revealing that children were beaten into silence, male teachers were chained and blindfolded, while the victims were repeatedly forced to embark on dangerous nighttime treks through forests to evade security operatives.
Alamu spoke on Monday after she and the rescued teachers and pupils were formally handed over to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The victims were abducted by gunmen on May 15, 2026, and spent nearly two months in captivity before regaining their freedom in a rescue operation by security agencies.
Describing life in captivity, the principal said the victims spent most of the 56 days in the open forest, exposed to harsh weather conditions while trying to keep the children alive and emotionally stable.
“You can only imagine it. It was not easy. We were in the forest, in the open, most of the time, under the sun and under the rain, with the children. But we kept going because there was no way out.
“We knew it was only God that could help us, and we believed people were praying for us. That kept us going,” she said.
Alamu disclosed that although she was not physically assaulted, several of the younger pupils suffered severe beatings whenever they cried or made noise.
“Personally, I was not beaten, but some of the children were beaten. What they hated most was noise because they believed it could attract attention.
“The youngest children suffered the most. They would tie their mouths with pieces of cloth and beat them very well,” she said.
Despite the harsh conditions, the principal said none of the victims was sexually assaulted during the period in captivity.
“There was no form of molestation,” she added.
According to Alamu, the kidnappers constantly moved the captives whenever they feared their hideouts had been discovered by security forces, forcing both adults and children to undertake exhausting journeys through difficult terrain under the cover of darkness.
“When the place was discovered, we had to move, and that usually started around seven or eight at night. Sometimes we walked for three to four hours. That is why you see bruises on our bodies,” she said.
She explained that while the kidnappers carried the youngest children, older pupils were left to endure the long treks.
“The younger ones were carried, but the older children had to walk. They fell many times. It was very difficult,” she said.
Alamu also narrated how the victims were initially transported deeper into the forest shortly after the abduction.
“My car was used to convey us to a point where we met the primary school pupils and their teacher.
“From there, we walked for about one hour before they brought motorcycles. About 10 motorcycles were used to move us for more than four hours through bush paths they knew very well,” she recalled.
Reflecting on the impact of the ordeal on her teaching career, Alamu admitted that returning to a rural posting would now require considerable courage.
“I have worked for 28 years and I have just about four years to retire. Going to rural areas now will take the grace of God.
“Before this happened, I had already sacrificed a lot because of the distance. Now, coupled with this experience, I don’t know what will happen. I want to see my husband. When I get home, I can think of every other thing,” she said.
The principal further revealed that the male members of the group suffered harsher treatment during the captivity.
“The men had it worse than us. They were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained on their legs,” she said.
(Punch)
