Rescued Oyo Principal: Abductors Killed Two Colleagues to Pressure Government

The principal of Community High School, Esiele, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has revealed that the terrorists who abducted her, other teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State killed two of their colleagues to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

Speaking on Monday during the official handover of the rescued victims to Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army, Alamu described the 56 days they spent in captivity as a traumatic experience marked by fear, uncertainty and repeated threats to their lives.

She said the abductors subjected the victims to constant psychological torture, repeatedly telling them that the government had abandoned them and was no longer interested in securing their release. Despite the intimidation, she said they remained hopeful that they would regain their freedom.

According to Alamu, one of the victims, Mr Michael, was killed on the second day of the abduction, while another identified as Deacon was murdered on the first Sunday of June. She said the terrorists deliberately carried out the killings to increase pressure on the authorities to meet their demands.

The principal said it was only after their release that the victims realised many Nigerians had been following their ordeal and praying for them. While acknowledging the emotional scars left by the experience, she expressed confidence that they would heal with time.

Alamu thanked Governor Makinde, Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, other security agencies and Nigerians who prayed for their safe return. The victims were abducted on May 15 after terrorists attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.