Oyo Principal Reveals Pupils and Teachers Endured Nightly Forest Treks During 56 Days in Captivity
The principal of one of the schools affected by the mass abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has shared a chilling account of the 56 days she, teachers and pupils spent in captivity, revealing that the kidnappers forced them to undertake dangerous nightly treks through forests to evade advancing security forces.
Mrs. Racheal Alamu, who was rescued alongside dozens of pupils and teachers after weeks in captivity, said the abductors constantly relocated the victims whenever they suspected that troops were closing in on their hideouts. According to her, the repeated movements through dense forests were physically exhausting, especially for the young children who struggled to keep up with the pace.
She explained that while the kidnappers occasionally carried the three youngest children, the remaining pupils were forced to walk long distances at night. Older secondary school girls reportedly helped carry some of the younger pupils who became too weak to continue. Despite these efforts, many of the children repeatedly fell because of fatigue, hunger and the difficult terrain.
Alamu also described the harsh conditions under which the victims lived throughout their ordeal. She said the captives remained in the open forest for most of the period, exposed to rain, cold nights and other harsh weather conditions without adequate shelter or medical care. Food and water were scarce, making survival increasingly difficult for both the children and their teachers.
The principal further disclosed that the abductors subjected the captives to intimidation and physical abuse. According to her, children who cried or made noise were beaten into silence, while male teachers were blindfolded and chained to prevent any attempt to escape. The kidnappers reportedly maintained strict control over the group throughout the captivity.
She recalled that every time the kidnappers sensed that security personnel were approaching, they immediately ordered everyone to move to another location under the cover of darkness. The exhausting night journeys became a routine, with the captives trekking through unfamiliar forests in fear and uncertainty.
The victims regained their freedom after an intelligence-led security operation carried out by Nigerian security agencies. Authorities said the rescue followed weeks of coordinated surveillance and pressure on the abductors, leading to the successful release of the pupils and teachers without the payment of ransom. Several suspects were also arrested during the operation.
Following the rescue, the victims were reunited with their families and formally received by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The state government assured them of medical treatment, counselling and other support to help them recover from the physical and emotional trauma they experienced during their captivity.
The abduction occurred in May when armed men attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping dozens of pupils and teachers. The incident drew nationwide condemnation and renewed concerns over the security of schools in Nigeria, particularly in communities vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.
Security experts say the principal’s account highlights the severe hardship endured by kidnap victims and underscores the importance of intelligence-driven rescue operations. They have also called for stronger protection of schools, improved surveillance and greater collaboration between security agencies and local communities to prevent similar incidents in the future. As investigations continue, authorities have reiterated their commitment to bringing all those responsible for the abduction to justice and strengthening measures to safeguard students and teachers across the country.
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