‘We Thought We Had Been Forgotten’ — Rescued Oriire Principal Recounts 56 Days in Captivity

…As Makinde pledges education, welfare support as military explains successful rescue mission

The Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Ehnsiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has recounted the traumatic experiences she and other abducted pupils and teachers endured during their 56-day captivity in the forest.

Speaking with the Publisher of National DailyNews.com.ng Ogundele Olanrewaju, shortly after regaining freedom, Mrs. Alamu described the period in captivity as a harrowing experience marked by fear, uncertainty and physical suffering.

She said the abductors repeatedly attempted to break their spirits by claiming that the government and the public had abandoned them, adding that they survived largely because of their faith in God and the belief that Nigerians were praying for their safe return.

Mrs. Alamu disclosed that two members of the group lost their lives in captivity, alleging that the kidnappers deliberately killed them to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

She, however, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies and Nigerians for their efforts and prayers, saying the victims were overwhelmed to discover that people across the country had remained concerned about their plight.

The principal said the victims suffered severe physical and emotional trauma, having spent most of their days in the open forest under harsh weather conditions.

She noted that some of the children were beaten by the kidnappers, particularly when they made noise, while the male captives were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained.

According to her, the abductees were frequently moved from one location to another, often trekking for several hours at night through difficult terrain, resulting in bruises and exhaustion, especially among the children.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue operation involved personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and Amotekun operatives.

Major General Nnebeife explained that the rescue mission was complicated by the dense forest terrain and required sustained intelligence gathering, ground operations and coordinated efforts by various security agencies.

He disclosed that security operatives also suffered casualties during the operation, including the loss of an officer and a soldier.

The Army commander said the victims were successfully rescued on July 10 after sustained pressure on the kidnappers and the dismantling of their logistics network, stressing that the military did not negotiate with or yield to the demands of the terrorists.

He commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser and all participating security agencies for their support and commitment throughout the operation.

Receiving the rescued pupils and teachers from the military, Governor Seyi Makinde assured that the state government would not allow the traumatic experience to disrupt the education of the pupils or the careers of the teachers.

The governor said the state government would provide immediate medical, psychological and logistical support for the victims and their families, adding that efforts would continue until all the rescued persons are fully stabilised.

Governor Makinde also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the leadership of the nation’s security agencies for their intervention and coordination, which culminated in they successful rescue of the abductees.

Immediately after the handing over event of the Abductee they were all transported to Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital in Ogbomosho.