The principal of the school abducted alongside teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Racheal Alamu, has opened up about the traumatic 56 days they spent in captivity, describing how the victims endured hunger, fear and repeated forced movements through the forest.
Speaking on Monday after she and the rescued victims were officially received by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House in Ibadan, Alamu said the abductors kept them in the open forest, exposing them to harsh weather while constantly relocating them to avoid security operatives.
She revealed that the children suffered the most during the ordeal, saying some of the younger pupils were beaten whenever they cried because the kidnappers feared the noise would expose their hideout.
According to her, the male teachers were subjected to harsher treatment, as they were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained for much of their captivity.
Alamu, however, said none of the victims was sexually assaulted during the 56-day ordeal.
She explained that whenever the kidnappers suspected security operatives were closing in, they forced the captives to embark on exhausting night treks lasting several hours through the forest.
The principal also recalled that after the abduction, the victims were transported deep into the forest on about 10 motorcycles after trekking for nearly an hour.
Reflecting on the experience, Alamu admitted the incident had left her uncertain about returning to work in remote communities despite having only a few years left before retirement.
Meanwhile, a relative of one of the rescued pupils said the victims survived mainly on cocoyam, noodles and water from a nearby waterfall throughout their time in captivity.
The relative expressed gratitude to security personnel involved in the rescue operation, saying the families never stopped praying for the victims’ safe return.
Truth Live News gathered that the rescue operation involved personnel from the Defence Headquarters, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other members of the Joint Interagency Task Force.
Security sources said weeks of intelligence gathering, coordinated operations and sustained pressure on the abductors eventually led to the successful rescue of the victims after at least two rescue attempts.
The operation, however, claimed the life of 28-year-old Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, who was reportedly killed after his convoy struck improvised explosive devices planted by the terrorists during an earlier assault.
Retired military officers who reacted to the operation commended the collaboration among security agencies, describing it as a major factor behind the successful rescue, while dismissing claims that ransom was paid to secure the victims’ freedom.
