DSS Witness Reveals 56-Day Ordeal of Kidnapped Students

A witness, identified as AAA for security reasons, testified in the Federal High Court in Abuja about the abduction of 49 students and teachers from schools in Orire Local Government Area, Oyo State. The victims endured a harrowing 56 days in captivity at the hands of Ansaru terrorists.

The witness recounted how armed men on motorcycles invaded their schools, shooting to prevent escape, and transported the captives to six different locations. She described the conditions as dehumanizing, with victims, including very young children, forced to sleep on grass and deprived of basic necessities.

The kidnappers, who claimed to be negotiating for the release of their members rather than for ransom, killed two teachers when their demands were not met. The captives suffered severe hunger and were rationed water, which was often dirty.

They were fed minimal meals and had no opportunity to bathe, resulting in extreme filth by the time they were rescued.