The rescued principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has narrated the traumatic ordeal she and other abductees endured in the hands of kidnappers, revealing that two teachers were killed during their captivity as the criminals sought to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
Alamu described the two-phase abduction as one of the most horrifying experiences of her life, saying the emotional and psychological scars would remain with the victims for a long time, even as she expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army, other security agencies and everyone who contributed to their rescue.
Speaking on Monday during the official handover of the rescued principal, students and teachers to the Oyo State Government by the Nigerian Army at the State House, Ibadan, Alamu, who struggled to hold back tears in the presence of Governor Seyi Makinde and other government officials, recounted how what began as a normal school day on Friday, May 15, 2026, ended in chaos after 49 students and members of staff were abducted by heavily armed kidnappers.
According to her, the kidnappers first seized 10 of them in her vehicle before driving them to another location where they met pupils and teachers from a nearby primary school who had also been abducted.
She said all the victims were forced to trek for about an hour before the kidnappers brought about 10 motorcycles, which they used to transport them through difficult bush paths for over four hours to their hideout.
“The Friday started well but ended in chaos for us. The kidnappers took 10 of us in my car, which they used to convey us to another point. That was where we met the primary school pupils and teachers. We were all taken together and had to walk for about an hour before they brought motorcycles and packed us on them.
“From there, we rode for more than four hours through rough bush paths, but they knew their way. It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God for seeing us through. There were times we thought we would never return alive,” she said.
Alamu disclosed that the kidnappers subjected the victims to humiliation and psychological torture throughout their captivity and eventually killed two teachers in an attempt to force the government to accede to their demands.
She identified the deceased as Mr. Michael, who was killed on the second day of their captivity, and Deacon, who was murdered on July 1.
“They killed them to put pressure on the government to give them what they wanted. We have scars already, but we believe that with time we will heal,” she said.
Responding to a question on whether the experience would affect her willingness to continue teaching in rural communities, Alamu admitted that returning to such areas would be difficult.
“Going to rural areas again will take the grace of God. I have worked for 28 years and have just four years left before retirement. Maybe, with time, I will get over it. But the distance from Ogbomosho to that school is already a great sacrifice because of transportation. Now, coupled with this experience, I honestly do not know what the future holds,” she said.