Mrs. Racheal Alamu, the school principal abducted alongside staff and students in the Oriire area of Oyo State, has detailed the traumatic 56 days spent in captivity. Following her release and reunion with Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, Alamu described the group’s constant relocation through dense forests to avoid detection by authorities.
During their time as hostages, the group was forced to sleep in the open, enduring severe weather conditions. Alamu noted that while she was not physically assaulted, the kidnappers were brutal toward the captives, particularly the children. Young students were frequently beaten and gagged to keep them quiet, while male teachers faced the harshest conditions, being shackled and blindfolded throughout the ordeal. Despite the violence, she confirmed that none of the victims suffered sexual molestation.
The kidnappers regularly moved the group under the cover of darkness, often forcing them to walk through difficult terrain for hours. Younger children were carried, but older students struggled through the treks, often falling and sustaining injuries. Reflecting on her 28-year career, Alamu expressed uncertainty about returning to rural postings, stating that she needs time to recover and be with her family before considering her professional future.
