How our colleagues were killed to pressure govt – Rescued Oyo principal

By Lawrence Agbo

The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, in Oyo State, Alamu Folawe, has narrated how kidnappers executed two captives during their 56-day ordeal in a desperate attempt to force the government into meeting their demands.

Folawe spoke on Monday during the official handover of the rescued teachers and pupils to Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army, describing their time in captivity as one of fear, uncertainty and emotional trauma.

Recounting the ordeal, she said the abductors repeatedly tried to break the captives’ resolve by claiming the government had abandoned them and was no longer interested in securing their release.

“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,” she said.

According to the principal, the kidnappers later executed two victims to increase pressure on the authorities.

“Mr Michael was killed on the second day, while 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,” Folawe said.

She disclosed that the survivors only realised the scale of public concern after regaining their freedom.

“It was until we got out that we discovered the whole world was on our case. We have scars already, but we believe with time we will heal,” she added.

Folawe thanked President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the military, other security agencies and Nigerians whose prayers and support sustained hope throughout their captivity.

The teachers and pupils were abducted on May 15 after armed men attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The attack also claimed the lives of assistant headmaster Joel Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist, prompting the state government to close schools in four local government areas while security agencies intensified rescue efforts.