The principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Racheal Alamu, has recounted the conditions she and other victims endured during the 56 days they spent in captivity before their rescue.
According to a report by The Sun on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Alamu spoke after she, alongside the rescued teachers and pupils, visited Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan following their release by security operatives.
She said the kidnappers enforced strict silence in their camp, believing that any noise could reveal their location to security forces. According to Alamu, the abductors reacted harshly whenever anyone made unnecessary noise.
“Personally, I was not beaten, but some of the children were beaten. What they hated most was noise because they believed it could attract attention,” she said.
Alamu disclosed that the youngest pupils suffered the most, as they often cried out of fear, hunger and exhaustion.
“The youngest children suffered the most. They would tie their mouths with pieces of cloth and beat them very well,” she added.
She also revealed that the male teachers were kept blindfolded, handcuffed and chained throughout their captivity, making their ordeal even more difficult.
Alamu described the experience as deeply traumatic and said many of the rescued teachers and pupils are still recovering emotionally from the incident.
