CITIZENS COMPASS— The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, on Monday, recounted why bandits killed some of her colleagues. One of them is Mr Michael Oyedokun, the Mathematics teacher who was beheaded during their abduction.
Alamu said the 56 days in the forest were traumatic and unforgettable.
Recall that Alamu, alongside other teachers and students, regained their freedom last week.
Citizens Compass reported that they were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, alongside Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Two persons, an assistant headteacher, Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist popularly known as Okada rider, were killed on the spot.
She said their abductors killed two victims to pressure the government.
Speaking during the official handover of the rescued victims by the Nigerian Army to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the rescued principal thanked the government and security agencies for securing their release.
According to her, we’re grateful to God.
On May 15, a Friday that started well, ended in chaos for us, and for 56 days, we were in the bush. It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot.
A relief to us is that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At one point, they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us. But there were times we held on to hope that we would come out alive.
Beheading of Mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun
Narrating why their abductors beheaded Mr Michael Oyedokun, her male colleague and Mathematics teacher, Alamu said: Mr. Michael was killed on the second day. In contrast, Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June. They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted.
It was not until we got out that we discovered the whole world was on our case. We have scars already, but we believe that with time we will heal.
Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, earlier said that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested while several others were neutralised during the operation.
He added that no ransom was paid and no prisoner exchange took place to secure the release of the victims.
Onanuga said the arrested suspects were in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The rescued victims have been officially handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has presented a brand-new Toyota Camry to Alamu.
Photos of the donation was shared by an Ibadan-based radio station Yes FM
