The principal of the abducted pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Racheal Alamu, has recounted the harrowing 56 days she, alongside teachers and pupils, spent in captivity, describing beatings, forced treks, and harsh living conditions in the forest.
The victims were formally received by Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan after their rescue by security forces.
Speaking after their release, Alamu said the group was held in remote forest locations, where children were beaten into silence and male teachers were chained, blindfolded, and restrained.
“We stayed in the open forest under the sun and rain. The children suffered the most, especially when they cried. Some were beaten and had their mouths tied,” she said.
She added that the kidnappers frequently moved them at night to avoid detection, forcing victims—including children—to walk for hours through difficult terrain.
“We often trekked for three to four hours at night. The younger ones were carried, but the older children walked and fell many times,” she said.
Alamu noted that while the conditions were severe, none of the victims was sexually assaulted during captivity.
Survival in the Forest
Relatives of the rescued pupils revealed that the victims survived mainly on cocoyam and noodles, sometimes eating just once a day and drinking water from a nearby waterfall.
One relative, who identified herself as Olasunbo, said the children were held deep inside the Oyo National Forest with limited contact with anyone outside their captors.
“They looked exhausted when they returned, but we are grateful they came back alive,” she said.
Rescue Operation and Casualties
Security sources said the rescue followed weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated efforts involving multiple agencies, including the military, police, and intelligence services.
At least two rescue attempts were made before the victims were freed.
One of the early breakthroughs reportedly came through intelligence gathered during ransom negotiations, which helped expose supply routes used by the kidnappers.
A military offensive also took place, during which troops engaged the abductors in a gun battle.
However, the operation recorded casualties. Among those killed was 28-year-old Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, who reportedly led the initial assault before his convoy struck an improvised explosive device.
Security officials later shifted to a more intelligence-driven approach, cutting off the kidnappers’ logistics and isolating them until they were forced to release the hostages.
Praise for Security Agencies
Retired military officers have praised the operation, describing it as a successful example of inter-agency cooperation.
They also dismissed claims that ransom was paid, attributing the outcome instead to coordinated intelligence and sustained pressure on the abductors.
