𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻, 𝗪𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 – 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘆𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹.

The principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has recounted the harrowing 56-day ordeal she, pupils and fellow teachers endured in captivity after they were abducted by gunmen in May 2026.

Speaking on Monday after the rescued victims were formally handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Mrs. Alamu described life in captivity as traumatic, saying they spent most of the period in the open forest under harsh weather conditions while struggling to keep the children alive and hopeful.

According to her, the kidnappers subjected the children to severe abuse, particularly whenever they cried or made noise. She said the abductors feared the sounds could reveal their location to security operatives.

“The youngest children suffered the most. They would tie their mouths with pieces of cloth and beat them very well,” she said, adding that although she was not physically assaulted, several of the pupils endured repeated beatings.

Mrs. Alamu also revealed that the captives were repeatedly forced to undertake long treks through the forest, mostly at night, whenever the kidnappers suspected security forces were closing in on their hideouts.

She explained that the movements often began around 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. and lasted for several hours, leaving many of the victims with bruises and other injuries from the difficult terrain.

The principal disclosed that the male teachers suffered harsher treatment than the women, saying they were blindfolded, handcuffed and had chains fastened to their legs throughout much of their captivity. Despite the harsh conditions, she stated that none of the victims was sexually molested during the ordeal.

Mrs. Alamu expressed gratitude to God, the Nigerian Armed Forces, other security agencies and everyone who prayed for the victims, saying faith sustained them throughout the 56 days they spent in captivity. She also thanked the Oyo State Government and all those involved in the rescue operation.

The victims were rescued during a coordinated security operation after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction from schools in Oriire Local Government Area. They are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support as part of efforts to aid their recovery and reintegration.