Mr. Olatunde Olutuye Zaccheaus, a school counsellor in Oyo State’s Ori Ire Local Government Area, has shared the harrowing details of his 56-day captivity following a school invasion. Zaccheaus, who was the final victim seized and the last one released, attributed his survival to divine providence. The abduction began when armed men arrived on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately and prompting students to alert others to the presence of bandits.
During the chaos, Zaccheaus attempted to escape through a window but landed poorly on his leg, which suffered from chronic arthritis. Unable to flee, he hid in the vegetation but was betrayed when a student he was protecting accidentally drew the attackers’ attention to his location. His capture was so improbable that many in his community initially refused to believe he had been taken, assuming he had simply gone into hiding.
While in the forest, Zaccheaus noted that his captors, who communicated in a mix of English and Yoruba, restricted their ability to pray aloud. Remarkably, he claimed that a single medication provided by his captors cured his long-term arthritis. When the time for their release arrived, the kidnappers’ behavior shifted to a lighthearted tone, instructing the captives to thank God for their freedom. Due to a broken handcuff key, Zaccheaus initially feared his captors might amputate his hand, but they eventually used a rope to remove the shackles.
After being guided back to the path by the group’s leader, identified as an ISWAP operative, the victims were transported to Kinyere village before meeting government rescue teams. While Zaccheaus expressed gratitude for the state government’s efforts, he clarified that the victims have yet to receive direct financial support. He remains convinced that his survival was nothing short of a miracle sustained by prayer.
