Oyo kidnap rescue:  principal narrates ordeal of victims in Kidnapers’ den

By Ola Taiwo

Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael  Alamu, has narrated the ordeal she and other abducted victims went through in captivity before they were rescued last week by security agencies 

Alamu who spoke with newsmen after Governor Seyi Makinde officially received the rescued kidnap victims at the Executive Council Chambers, Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan said they treked for about four hours through the forests before their release.

The principal disclosed when two among them the victims were killed by the kidnappers

 She said that their abductors using intimidation, created fear in all of them and with that, subdued them.

“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.

“They killed Mr. Micheal on the second day we got there, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June,” she said.

The principal said the kidnappers ordered all of them the captives to embark on a long night trek shortly before they regained their freedom.

“We walked in the bush for about four hours at night, and that’s why we have bruises all over our bodies,” she explained.

She, however, dismissed reports that any of the rescued victims was sexually assaulted during the period of captivity, stating, “There was no sexual assault.”

Speaking on whether she would return to the classroom after the traumatic experience, the principal said she was yet to decide, 

“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 said.

Alamu expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of the surviving victims and appreciated the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies and Nigerians for their support and prayers.

“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 added.

The principal was among the teachers and pupils abducted by gunmen while travelling through Oriire Local Government Area.

Following their rescue after 56 days in captivity, the victims were taken to the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division Hospital in Odogbo, Ibadan, where they received medical attention before being reunited with Governor Makinde.

The governor commended security agencies for their role in securing the victims’ freedom and assured the rescued teachers, pupils and their families of the state government’s continued support as they recover from the physical and psychological effects of the ordeal.