A schoolteacher recently rescued after spending 56 days in the custody of kidnappers has expressed fears about returning to work, saying improved security is essential before teachers and pupils can feel safe in rural schools.
Mrs. Rachael Alamu, one of the teachers rescued alongside dozens of pupils in Oyo State, shared her experience after she and the other victims were formally handed over to the state government following their release.
Alamu was among 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed kidnappers attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
Recounting the ordeal, she described the 56 days in captivity as physically and emotionally traumatic, saying the victims were forced to trek through dense forests and endure harsh conditions.
“When we were abducted, my vehicle was used to transport us to a point where we met the primary school pupils and their teacher. From there, we trekked for about an hour before the kidnappers brought motorcycles and bicycles. We were all crammed together and taken deeper into the forest,” she said.
According to Alamu, the captives spent weeks moving through the forests of the Old Oyo National Park, often walking long distances at night and sleeping in exposed locations while enduring constant fear.
She said the experience became even more traumatic after one of the kidnapped teachers, mathematics instructor Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the kidnappers while they were in captivity.
“The reason they killed him was to send a message to the government and security agencies that they were serious,” she said.
The attack also claimed the life of another teacher, Joel Adesiyan, who was reportedly shot while attempting to escape during the initial abduction.
Although the victims have regained their freedom following a security operation that secured their release on July 10, Alamu said the psychological impact of the incident remains overwhelming.
“Going back to teach in a rural area will only be by the grace of God,” she said. “I have spent 28 years in service and have four years left before retirement. I believe time will help me heal, but for now, I honestly don’t know what will happen.”
Her comments reflect growing concerns among teachers and parents over security in rural communities, with many questioning whether schools are adequately protected against future attacks.
Parents in the affected communities have also expressed hesitation about sending their children back to school until stronger security measures are put in place.
The abduction triggered a strike by the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which was suspended after the state government assured the union that security around vulnerable schools would be strengthened.
Governor Seyi Makinde has pledged to support the rescued victims by providing medical care, psychological rehabilitation and other forms of assistance as they recover from the ordeal.
Education stakeholders and civil society groups have called on both the federal and state governments to strengthen the Safe School Initiative by deploying more security personnel to rural schools, improving early warning systems and intensifying operations against criminal groups operating within the Old Oyo National Park.
While the successful rescue of the victims has been welcomed as a significant achievement by security agencies, Alamu’s account highlights the long-term emotional scars left by the incident and the urgent need to improve safety in schools across vulnerable communities.