The principal of the school in Oriire local government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has described their experiences in the 56 days they spent in the kidnapper’s den as traumatic and emotionally draining, saying none of the victims was sexually assaulted by their abductors.
Recounting their ordeals in an interview with the journalists after their handing over to the state government by the Nigerian Army, she said they survived difficult conditions while in captivity and drew strength from the belief that Nigerians were praying for their safe return.
“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.
According to her, two teachers lost their lives during the period of captivity, saying “They killed Mr. Michael on the second day we got there, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June”.
Expressing gratitude to God for preserving the lives of the remaining captives, she revealed that before they regained their freedom, the victims were forced to trek through the forest for about four hours during the night, leaving many of them with 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, Mrs. Alamu clarified that none of the victims was sexually assaulted during their captivity, saying, “There was no sexual assault.”
Recounting the harrowing 56-day ordeal in captivity, she said children were beaten into silence, male teachers were chained and blindfolded, and the victims were repeatedly forced to undertake dangerous midnight treks through forests to evade security operatives.
Describing life in captivity, Alamu said the victims spent most of the 56 days in the open forest, exposed to harsh weather conditions while struggling to keep the children alive and emotionally stable.
“You can only imagine it. It was not easy. We were in the forest, in the open, most of the time, under the sun and under the rain, with the children. But we kept going because there was no way out”.
The principal disclosed that although she was not physically assaulted, several of the younger pupils endured severe beatings whenever they cried or made 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.“
“The youngest children suffered the most. They would tie their mouths with pieces of cloth and beat them very well,” she said.
She also revealed that the male members of the group suffered even harsher treatment, adding, “The men had it worse than us. They were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained on their legs.”
According to the principal, the kidnappers constantly relocated the captives whenever they feared their hideouts had been discovered by security forces, forcing adults and children to embark on exhausting nighttime journeys through difficult terrain.
“When the place was discovered, we had to move, and that usually started around seven or eight at night. Sometimes we walked for three to four hours. That is why you see bruises on our bodies.”
She said while the kidnappers carried the youngest children, older pupils had to endure the long walks despite repeated falls.
“The younger ones were carried, but the older children had to walk. They fell many times.
It was very difficult.”
Alamu also narrated how the victims were initially transported deeper into the forest after the abduction, saying, “My car was used to convey us to a point where we met the primary school pupils and their teacher.
