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 she and the other victims spent in captivity, revealing how children were brutally beaten into silence while male teachers were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained.
Alamu spoke on Monday after she, other rescued teachers and pupils were officially received by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, following their rescue by security agencies.
The victims were kidnapped by armed men on May 15, 2026, and remained in captivity for nearly two months before regaining their freedom in a rescue operation.
Recounting the ordeal, the school principal said the victims spent most of their time in the open forest, enduring harsh weather conditions while struggling to protect and comfort the children.
“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.
According to Alamu, the kidnappers showed little tolerance for noise, often punishing younger pupils who cried during the ordeal.
She disclosed that while she escaped physical assault, several children were severely beaten because the abductors feared their cries could expose their location.
“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 traumatic experience, Alamu said none of the victims was sexually assaulted throughout the period in captivity.
“There was no form of molestation,” she added.
She further revealed that the abductors frequently relocated the victims whenever they suspected security operatives had traced their hideouts, forcing the captives to undertake long, exhausting night journeys through forests.
According to her, the movements usually began around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and lasted between three and four hours, leaving many of the victims with bruises.
“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 explained.
While the youngest children were carried by the kidnappers, older pupils were forced to trek through the rough terrain, often falling repeatedly because of exhaustion.
“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 abductors transported the victims deeper into the forest shortly after the attack.
According to her, her vehicle was initially used to move the captives before they met another group comprising primary school pupils and their teacher.
She said they later trekked for about an hour before boarding about 10 motorcycles, which conveyed them for more than four hours through remote bush paths known only to the kidnappers.
Reflecting on the experience, the veteran educator admitted that returning to a rural posting would be emotionally difficult after the ordeal.
“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.
Alamu added that the male members of the group endured even harsher treatment than the women and children.
“The men had it worse than us. They were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained on their legs,” she said.
