IBADAN, Nigeria – Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the rescued principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has shared chilling details of the 56 days she spent in captivity, revealing how she and other victims endured hunger, exhaustion, and constant death threats in the hands of kidnappers.
Speaking during an interview with TVC News after her rescue, the principal recounted the horrifying moments that followed their abduction, saying the kidnappers forced them to trek for about four hours through dense forest on the first night before arriving at their camp.
“We trekked for about four hours before we got to where they kept us,” she said, describing the journey as physically draining and emotionally traumatic.
According to Alamu, life in captivity was marked by severe hardship. The victims survived on meagre food rations, lacked access to clean water and medical care, and lived under the constant fear of being killed if ransom demands were not met.
She disclosed that the kidnappers frequently relocated the captives from one forest camp to another in a bid to evade security operatives searching for them.
The principal also revealed that the tragedy claimed the lives of two fellow captives, describing their deaths as heartbreaking moments that tested the resolve of those who survived.
Despite the terrifying conditions, Alamu said faith and hope kept the victims alive until security forces eventually stormed the kidnappers’ hideout and secured their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
Expressing appreciation to the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, she commended the courage and sacrifice of the personnel involved in the rescue operation. She also thanked the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, religious leaders, traditional rulers and Nigerians who prayed for their safe return.
The rescued principal urged authorities to strengthen security around schools, particularly in rural communities, to prevent future attacks on students, teachers and other education workers.
Her emotional testimony comes days after a successful military rescue operation ended the prolonged captivity of the abducted schoolchildren, teachers and the principal. The operation reportedly resulted in casualties among security personnel, highlighting the risks involved in confronting heavily armed kidnappers.
The latest account has reignited concerns over insecurity in parts of Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for improved intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance and stronger collaboration among security agencies to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes.
For Mrs. Alamu, the experience remains a painful reminder of the trauma endured by kidnapping victims. Her story also underscores the resilience of the survivors and the urgent need for sustained efforts to secure schools and protect vulnerable communities across the country.