Oyo principal recounts 56-day captivity ordeal, children beaten and male teachers chained
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the principal of a secondary school in Oyo State, has shared details of her 56-day abduction alongside teachers and pupils. Abducted on May 15, 2026, by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area, the group was rescued by security agencies. Alamu described spending most of the captivity in open forests, enduring harsh weather. She stated that while she was not physically assaulted, younger pupils were beaten when they cried or made noise, with their mouths sometimes tied. Male teachers reportedly faced harsher treatment, being blindfolded, handcuffed, and chained. The kidnappers frequently moved the captives through forests at night to evade security, forcing them to trek for hours. Alamu noted that none of the victims were sexually assaulted. She also reflected on the impact of the ordeal on her teaching career, particularly regarding future rural postings.
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