Why Abducted Oyo Teachers Were Killed, Rescued Principal Speaks

The principal of Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has revealed why two teachers abducted alongside her and other pupils were killed by their captors.

Alamu said the kidnappers murdered the teachers in an attempt to pressure the government into yielding to their demands during the 56 days the victims spent in captivity.

The principal spoke on Monday after she, the rescued pupils and other teachers were formally received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan.

According to her, the abductors believed killing some of the hostages would force the authorities to act more quickly, particularly because the incident had drawn widespread public attention.

“There were times we believed we would all come out alive. The terrorists killed Mr. Michael, the first teacher, on the second day of our abduction, while Deacon, the second teacher, was killed on the first Sunday of June.

“They killed them purposely because they thought it would force the hand of the government to provide them whatever they wanted. They already knew that the whole world was interested in our case. We have scars already, and we believe that God will heal us. We appreciate everyone that contributed to this success,” she said.

The teachers killed during the ordeal were identified as Mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded while in captivity, and Mr. Esiyan Adegboye, 49, who was shot dead during the attack on the school. Adegboye was buried in Ogbomoso on May 22.

Recounting the victims’ ordeal, Alamu said they spent most of their time in the open forest, exposed to harsh weather 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.

“We knew it was only God that could help us, and we believed people were praying for us. That kept us going,” she said.

Alamu disclosed that although she escaped physical assault, many of the younger pupils were repeatedly beaten whenever they cried or made noise.

She said the experience had left emotional scars on the victims but expressed confidence that they would recover with time, thanking Nigerians for their prayers and support throughout their captivity.

The rescued pupils and teachers were handed over to the Oyo State Government by the Federal Government after security agencies secured their release.

Before Monday’s reception, the victims had been receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support at the Military Hospital in Ibadan, where Governor Seyi Makinde visited them on Saturday.

The Federal Government had on Friday announced that all the abducted pupils and teachers had regained their freedom after spending more than 50 days in the kidnappers’ den.

Also on Monday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the Military Hospital to sympathise with them following their ordeal.