Witness Details 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. They endured a “dehumanising” 56 days in captivity, being moved through six locations, forced to sleep on grass, and deprived of basic needs.

The abduction occurred when armed men on motorcycles invaded the schools, shooting to prevent escape. The kidnappers, who claimed to be negotiating for the release of Ansaru group members rather than seeking ransom, killed two teachers during the ordeal.

The captives suffered from severe hunger and were rationed dirty water, with meals consisting of rice and palm oil. The conditions were so harsh that the victims had no opportunity to bathe, leaving them extremely dirty by the time they were rescued by security forces.