The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs. Alamu Folawe, has recounted the 56-day ordeal she, fellow teachers and pupils endured in captivity after their abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking during the official handover of the rescued victims to Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army, Folawe described the experience as traumatic, saying the kidnappers used fear and psychological intimidation to convince the captives that the government had abandoned them.
“We’re grateful to God. On May 15, a Friday that started well ended in chaos for us, and for 56 days we were in the bush,” she said.
Folawe revealed that the abductors killed two captives—identified as Mr. Michael and Deacon—in an attempt to pressure the government into meeting their demands. “They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted,” she said.
She added that the survivors were left with lasting emotional scars but expressed hope for healing, while thanking President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, security agencies and Nigerians for their support and prayers.
The victims were abducted on May 15 during attacks on Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso. The Presidency said all the victims were rescued in a coordinated operation, with eight suspected kidnappers arrested, several others killed, and no ransom or prisoner exchange involved.
