The Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs Alamu Folawe, has shared details of the 56 days she and other abducted teachers and pupils spent in captivity, revealing that the kidnappers killed two of their colleagues in an attempt to compel the government to meet their demands.
Folawe spoke on Monday during the official presentation of the rescued victims to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army. She described their time in captivity as a terrifying ordeal filled with fear, uncertainty and constant anxiety over their survival.
“We’re grateful to God. On May 15, a Friday that started well ended in chaos for us, and for 56 days we were in the bush. It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot,” she said.
The principal said the abductors relied heavily on psychological tactics, repeatedly trying to convince the captives that they had been abandoned by the government and would not be rescued.
“A relief to us is that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At one point they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us. But there were times we held on to hope that we would come out alive,” she recalled.
Folawe disclosed that two captives were deliberately killed by the kidnappers as part of efforts to pressure authorities into responding to their demands.
“Mr Michael was killed on the second day, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June. They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted,” she stated.
She added that the victims only realised the level of public concern and support after their release.
“It was until we got out that we discovered the whole world was on our case. We have scars already, but we believe with time we will heal,” she said.
The principal expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, security agencies involved in the rescue mission and Nigerians who supported them through prayers during their ordeal.
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The teachers and pupils were kidnapped on May 15 after armed attackers stormed Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attack resulted in the deaths of assistant headmaster Joel Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist. Following the incident, the Oyo State Government closed schools across four local government areas while security agencies intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
The presidency announced on Friday that all the abducted teachers and pupils had been freed following a coordinated security operation.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were killed during the operation. He also stated that no ransom payment or prisoner swap was involved in securing the victims’ release.