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 traumatic 56 days they spent in captivity, revealing that kidnappers gagged and beat children to keep them quiet while forcing the victims to make long treks through forests at night.
Alamu spoke on Monday after she and the rescued teachers and pupils were officially received by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The victims were abducted by armed men on May 15, 2026, and were rescued after spending nearly two months in captivity.
Recounting their ordeal, the principal said the victims lived in the open forest throughout the period, enduring harsh weather while struggling to keep the children safe and hopeful.
“It was a very difficult experience. We stayed in the forest, exposed to both the sun and the rain with the children. We had no choice but to keep believing that God would see us through because we knew people were praying for our safe return,” she said.
Alamu disclosed that while she was spared physical assault, several of the younger pupils were repeatedly beaten whenever they cried or made noise.
“The kidnappers hated noise because they feared it would expose their location. Some of the younger children had pieces of cloth tied over their mouths and they were beaten severely just to keep them quiet,” she said.
She, however, stated that none of the victims was sexually assaulted during the period in captivity.
“There was no sexual molestation throughout our stay,” she added.
According to the principal, the kidnappers constantly relocated the captives whenever they suspected security operatives were closing in on their hideouts.
She explained that the movements usually began at night and involved several hours of trekking through difficult terrain.
“Whenever they believed our location had been discovered, we moved at about 7 or 8 p.m. Sometimes we walked for three or four hours. Many of us sustained bruises because of the difficult journeys,” Alamu said.
She added that while the abductors carried the youngest children during the movements, the older pupils were forced to walk long distances.
“The older children fell repeatedly during the treks. It was a painful experience for everyone,” she said.
Alamu also narrated how the victims were taken deeper into the forest shortly after the abduction.
“My vehicle was used to transport us to another location where we met the primary school pupils and their teacher. From there, we walked for about an hour before motorcycles arrived. Around 10 motorcycles conveyed us for more than four hours through bush paths the kidnappers knew very well,” she recalled.
Speaking on the impact of the incident, the veteran educationist, who said she has spent 28 years in service, admitted that returning to a rural posting would be emotionally difficult.
“I have about four years left before retirement. After this experience, going back to work in a rural community will require God’s grace.
Right now, all I want is to reunite with my husband before deciding my next step,” she said.
She further disclosed that the male teachers endured harsher treatment during the captivity.
“The men suffered more than we did. They were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained on their legs throughout the ordeal,” Alamu added.
