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The harrowing details of the victims’ 56-day captivity emerged yesterday as the rescued pupils and teachers were formally handed over to the Oyo State Government by the military.
The principal of one of the attacked schools, Rachel Alamu, recounted how the victims trekked for four hours through the forest, witnessed the killing of two colleagues and endured weeks of fear before regaining their freedom.
Governor Makinde received the victims at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, after they had undergone 48 hours of medical observation, treatment and psychological evaluation.
He assured them that the state government would take full responsibility for their welfare, rehabilitation, education and emotional recovery, saying the traumatic experience would not define their future.
“As a government, we will support every one of you. We will do everything necessary to protect the education of the pupils and the careers of the teachers so that this unfortunate incident will not define your future,” Makinde said.
He directed that the rescued pupils and teachers be reunited with their families immediately, describing the reunion as a critical step towards emotional healing after nearly two months in captivity.
The governor also pledged continued medical care, psychological support and educational interventions to ensure the victims fully recover and return to normal life.
Speaking after the handover, Alamu described the ordeal as one of the most traumatic experiences of her life.
“It was a harrowing experience. We went through a lot, but we knew Nigerians were praying for us while we were in captivity. The kidnappers used fear to subdue us,” she said.
She disclosed that two of their colleagues were killed during the period of captivity.
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“They killed Michael (Oyedokun) on the second day we got there, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June,” she said, struggling to hold back emotions.
Alamu also revealed that before their release, the victims were forced to undertake a gruelling four-hour trek through the forest at night, leaving many of them with bruises and other injuries.
“We walked in the bush for about four hours at night, and that’s why we have bruises all over our bodies,” she explained.
Responding to questions, the principal clarified that none of the victims was sexually assaulted during the ordeal.
“There was no sexual assault,” she stated.
Asked whether she would return to the classroom after the traumatic experience, Alamu said she had yet to make up her mind.
“With time, I believe I will heal. But from Ogbomoso to where I work is already a long distance, and I have worked for 28 years already. I don’t know what to do about that for now, but with time, I believe I will be able to make a decision.”
She expressed gratitude to God for preserving their lives and thanked the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies and Nigerians for their prayers, support and efforts that culminated in their rescue.
“We thank God for not leaving us. We thank the government for rescuing us, and we thank Nigerians for their prayers and support throughout our ordeal,” she added.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, killing two education workers and abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers into the forest.
