The principal of Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, who was recently rescued, has revealed why the kidnappers killed two of the abducted teachers.
The victims were a Mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, and Mr. Esiyan Adegboye, aged 49. Oyedokun was killed while in captivity, while Adegboye was shot during the attack. Adegboye was later laid to rest in Ogbomoso on May 22.
Alamu shared these details while speaking with journalists on Monday. She, along with the rescued teachers and pupils, was received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the State Government House.
According to her, the kidnappers deliberately carried out the killings to pressure the government into meeting their demands. She explained that the perpetrators were aware of the widespread attention the incident had attracted.
“At certain points, we held on to hope that we would all return safely,” she said. “However, the first teacher was killed on the second day of our abduction, and the second teacher was killed in early June. They did this intentionally, believing it would force the government to act. We have been through a lot, but we trust that healing will come. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to our rescue.”
Reflecting on their time in captivity, Alamu described the difficult conditions they endured. She noted that they spent most of the 56 days in an open forest, exposed to harsh weather while trying to care for and support the children.
“It was extremely challenging,” she said. “We stayed in the forest, often under the sun and rain, with the children. Despite everything, we remained strong because there was no alternative. Our faith and the belief that people were praying for us kept us going.”
She also disclosed that while she was not physically harmed, many of the younger pupils were subjected to severe punishment whenever they cried or made noise.
Following their rescue, the pupils and teachers were handed over to the state government by federal authorities. Upon arrival at the secretariat, they were escorted under heavy security by military personnel.
Their release came after security agencies successfully secured their freedom following more than 50 days in captivity. Before being formally received by the state government, the victims were provided with medical care and psychological support at the Military Hospital in Ibadan, where Governor Makinde visited them.
In addition, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, also paid a visit to the rescued victims at the hospital.