Zacchaeus Olatunde, an educator liberated after being held hostage for nearly two months in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, stated that his captors released the group prior to being met by security forces. Olatunde explained in a radio interview that the group was kept in darkness, with blindfolds preventing them from determining their location or even if they remained within Nigeria.
The abductors reportedly claimed to be affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), explicitly distancing themselves from Boko Haram. During the ordeal, the captors communicated in a mix of Hausa, Nupe, Yoruba, and English. Olatunde noted that the hostages were fed two meals a day, primarily consisting of rice and beans.
While religious expression was initially prohibited, the kidnappers eventually permitted prayer after one month, though they strictly forbade mentioning Jesus or praying audibly. Olatunde described the final moments as a release ordered by the group’s leader, followed by a long walk and a motorcycle ride that eventually led them to security officials responsible for their safe escort home.
