Oyo Principal Recalls 56 Days of Captivity and Abuse

Rachael Alamu, the principal of a secondary school in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, recounted her traumatic experience of being held captive for 56 days after being abducted alongside a teacher and pupils on May 15, 2026. During her captivity, Alamu revealed that the children were subjected to severe beatings whenever they made noise, while she herself was not physically assaulted.

The captors constantly moved the victims to evade security forces, often forcing them to trek through difficult terrain at night. Alamu described the conditions as harsh, with the victims exposed to the elements and struggling to maintain emotional stability.

Despite the ordeal, none of the victims experienced sexual assault. They were finally rescued during a security operation, and Alamu expressed her gratitude to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for his support.

She reflected on the impact of the experience on her teaching career, indicating that she would need to consider her future in rural education after such a traumatic event.