Why Bandits Killed Two of Our Colleagues – Rescued Oyo School Principal Reveals 56-Day Ordeal

After surviving 56 terrifying days in the hands of kidnappers, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, has revealed the chilling moment two fellow captives were deliberately killed to pressure the government. Her emotional account offers a disturbing glimpse into the horrors endured by teachers and pupils during one of Oyo State’s most shocking school abductions.

The principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has revealed that kidnappers killed two captives during a 56-day ordeal to pressure the government into meeting their demands. She made the disclosure while speaking after she and other rescued victims were handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army.

IBADAN — The Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has revealed that the kidnappers who held her, other teachers and pupils captive for 56 days deliberately killed two fellow captives in an attempt to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

Mrs. Alamu made the disclosure on Monday during the official handover of the rescued victims to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, by the Nigerian Army.

Speaking about the ordeal, she described the 56 days in captivity as a traumatic experience marked by fear, uncertainty and repeated threats to their lives.

“We are grateful to God. May 15 began like every other normal day, but it ended in tragedy for us. We spent 56 days in the bush, and it was a harrowing experience. We went through so much, but we thank God for preserving our lives,” she said.

She explained that the abductors subjected the victims to constant psychological torture, repeatedly telling them that the government had abandoned them and was no longer interested in securing their freedom.

“One thing that kept us going was the belief that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, the kidnappers tried to break our spirits.

They kept telling us that the government no longer cared about us because we were not important. Despite that, we held on to hope that one day we would come out alive,” she recalled.

Alamu further disclosed that the kidnappers executed two captives in a calculated attempt to intensify pressure on the authorities.

“Mr. Michael was killed on the second day of our captivity, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June. They deliberately killed them because they believed it would force the government to meet their demands,” she said.

According to her, it was only after their rescue that the victims realised the extent of public concern and nationwide prayers for their safe return.

“It was after we regained our freedom that we discovered so many people across Nigeria and beyond had been following our situation and praying for us. We have emotional scars, but we believe that, with time, we will heal.”

The principal expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Nigerian Army, other security agencies involved in the rescue operation, and Nigerians whose prayers and support sustained hope throughout their captivity.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School, Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Their rescue brings to an end a harrowing 56-day captivity that drew widespread concern across Nigeria and renewed calls for stronger security around schools.

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