The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Alamu Folawe, has recounted how she, fellow teachers and pupils were transported by suspected kidnappers after their abduction.
Speaking in a video shared by TVC on Monday, July 13, 2026, Folawe said the abductors initially used her personal vehicle to move some of the victims before arriving at another location, where they met primary school pupils and their teachers who had also been kidnapped.
According to her, the kidnappers then ordered the combined group to trek for about one hour through difficult terrain before providing about 10 bicycles to continue the journey.
“When we were taken, my car was used to convey us to a point. That was where we met the primary pupils and their teachers. So we had to walk for about 1 hour. They brought bicycles, about 10 of them. So we were packed there, and we rode for more than 4 hours on untarred paths, but they knew their way,” she said.
Folawe said the kidnappers appeared to have extensive knowledge of the forest and surrounding terrain, navigating isolated, untarred routes to avoid detection by security operatives and the public.
She added that the gruelling journey marked the beginning of several weeks in captivity, during which the teachers and pupils endured severe hardship before they were eventually rescued by security personnel.
The rescue operation has drawn widespread commendation for the security agencies involved. However, Folawe’s account has renewed calls for stronger security around schools, particularly those located near forests, improved intelligence gathering, enhanced community security and continued medical and psychological support for victims recovering from the ordeal.
