Principal Kidnapped in Oyo Breaks Silence, Reveals Chilling 56 Days in Terrorists’ Captivity

Every night, they thought someone would be buried alive. Every cry from a hungry child could have cost a life. After surviving 56 terrifying days in the hands of terrorists, Oyo school principal Mrs. Rachael Alamu has finally revealed the horrifying moments that tested her faith and courage.

Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oyo State, has recounted her traumatic 56-day captivity after she and 43 others were abducted by terrorists on May 15, 2026. Rescued by National Park security operatives on July 10, she described how military air raids angered the kidnappers, who threatened to kill hostages, while hunger, sickness and fear became their daily reality.

OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE – Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has shared the heart-rending story of how she survived 56 harrowing days in the custody of terrorists, revealing moments when death seemed inevitable before she and 43 other abductees were miraculously rescued.

Speaking during an emotional thanksgiving service at Antioch Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, on Monday, July 27, 2026, the school principal recounted how faith, resilience and hope sustained her throughout the traumatic ordeal.

Famous Reporters reports, with reference to The Nation, that Mrs. Alamu and the other victims were kidnapped on May 15 before regaining their freedom on July 10 after a rescue operation by National Park security operatives.

Family members, church members, friends and other well-wishers gathered at the thanksgiving service to celebrate their safe return from captivity.

Sharing her painful experience, Mrs. Alamu described the seventh week of their captivity as the darkest period of the ordeal. According to her, intensified military air raids around the terrorists’ hideout provoked the kidnappers, leaving the captives fearful that they could be executed at any moment.

She explained that before the military operation intensified, the kidnappers had hinted that the victims might soon regain their freedom, giving everyone renewed hope.
However, the situation suddenly changed.

According to Mrs. Alamu, the camp commander summoned her and threatened to kill one of the captives in retaliation for the military bombardment.

Overwhelmed by fear, she burst into tears and pleaded with him to spare the victim’s life, reminding him that two of the four men abducted alongside her had already died in captivity.

Her emotional appeal eventually softened the commander’s stance.

Mrs. Alamu said the commander later asked what the government should do to secure their release.

She responded by urging him to make demands that the victims’ families could realistically meet. The commander reportedly agreed and said he would send a message.

Later that night, the captives heard people digging with shovels nearby.

The disturbing sound immediately convinced many that another hostage was about to be buried.

Fear swept through the camp.

Instead, the terrorists ordered everyone to prepare to leave because they also planned to relocate from the area.

Recalling the tense moments, Mrs. Alamu said:
“They would say, ‘Mama, Principal, tell them we are ready to sacrifice any one of us if they make noise. They cannot kill all of us.'”

She also spoke about the enormous challenge of caring for babies and young children in captivity.

According to her, it was impossible to stop hungry children from crying or asking for food.

Because the kidnappers feared that smoke from cooking could expose their location to security forces, they rarely prepared meals, leaving the captives to endure prolonged hunger.

Despite the hardship, Mrs. Alamu said she never stopped praying.

She made two personal requests to God.
First, she prayed that her husband, whose health was already fragile, would remain alive until her return.

Following their rescue, an army officer helped her speak with him over the telephone, confirming that her prayer had been answered.
Secondly, she prayed for divine healing after developing a high fever during the final week of captivity.

Although another captive questioned whether the medicine she received from the camp commander was actually paracetamol, Mrs. Alamu said she took the tablets in faith and recovered completely.

Describing her freedom as nothing short of miraculous, Mrs. Alamu said she could not fully explain how the rescue unfolded but firmly believes God intervened at the right moment.
She expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving her life and reuniting her with her family after one of the most terrifying experiences of her life.