The Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Folake Alamu, on Monday narrated the harrowing experience she and other abducted teachers and pupils endured during their 56-day captivity, revealing that they were forced to trek for about four hours through the forest before regaining their freedom.
Mrs. Alamu, who spoke with journalists shortly after Governor Seyi Makinde formally received the rescued victims at the Executive Council Chambers, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, also disclosed that two of their colleagues were killed by the kidnappers while they were in captivity.
According to her, the abductors subjected the victims to fear and hardship throughout the period, but they remained hopeful that they would eventually regain their freedom.
“It was a harrowing experience. We went through a lot, but we knew Nigerians were praying for us while we were in captivity. The kidnappers used fear to subdue us,” she said.
The school principal said the victims suffered a painful setback after two teachers were killed by the kidnappers.
“They killed Mr. Micheal on the second day we got there, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June,” she said, describing the deaths as devastating to the remaining captives.
She explained that shortly before their release, the kidnappers forced them to embark on a long night journey through the forest.
“We walked in the bush for about four hours at night, and that’s why we have bruises all over our bodies,” Mrs. Alamu said.
She, however, dismissed speculations that any of the victims was sexually assaulted during the period of captivity.
“There was no sexual assault,” she stated.
Speaking on whether she would return to teaching after the traumatic experience, the visibly emotional principal said she was yet to make a decision, noting that the incident had left lasting emotional scars.
“With time, I believe I will heal. But from Ogbomoso to where I work is already a long distance, and I have worked for 28 years already. I don’t know what to do about that for now, but with time, I believe I will be able to make a decision,” she added.
Despite the painful experience, Mrs. Alamu expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of the survivors. She also thanked the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies and Nigerians for their prayers and support throughout the ordeal.State & Local Government
“We thank God for not leaving us. We thank the government for rescuing us, and we thank Nigerians for their prayers and support throughout our ordeal,” she said.
Mrs. Alamu was among the teachers and pupils abducted by gunmen while travelling in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and the country.
The victims spent 56 days in captivity before security operatives successfully secured their release. They were subsequently taken to the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division Hospital, Odogbo, Ibadan, for medical evaluation and treatment before being formally received by Governor Makinde.
While receiving the victims, the governor commended the security agencies for their professionalism and assured the rescued teachers, pupils and their families of the government’s continued support as they recover from the physical and psychological effects of their ordeal.
The successful rescue of the victims has been widely welcomed by residents of Oyo State, who have continued to call for strengthened security measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
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