OYO ABDUCTION: PRINCIPAL REVEALS WHY KIDNAPPERS KILLED TWO TEACHERS
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The rescued principal of Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has revealed that the kidnappers murdered two teachers in a bid to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
The slain teachers were Mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded while in captivity, and Mr. Esiyan Adegboye, 49, who was shot during the abduction. Adegboye was laid to rest in Ogbomoso on May 22.
Alamu disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Monday after she, alongside the rescued pupils and teachers, was received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government House.
According to her, the kidnappers deliberately executed the two teachers because they believed the killings would compel the government to respond to their demands.
“There were moments we believed we would all make it out alive. They killed Mr. Michael on the second day of our abduction, while Deacon Adegboye was killed on the first Sunday of June,” she said.
“They did it intentionally because they thought it would force the government to give them whatever they wanted. They knew our case had attracted national attention. Although we carry emotional scars, we trust God to heal us, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to our rescue.”
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Recalling their ordeal, Alamu said the victims spent most of their 56-day captivity in the open forest, enduring harsh weather conditions while struggling to care for the children and keep them emotionally strong.
“It was a terrible experience. We stayed in the forest, exposed to both the scorching sun and heavy rain, with the children. We had no choice but to remain strong. We believed only God could save us, and we drew strength from knowing people were praying for us,” she said.
She added that although she was not physically assaulted, many of the younger pupils were severely beaten whenever they cried or made noise.
The rescued pupils and teachers were officially handed over to the Oyo State Government by the Federal Government after security agencies secured their release following more than 50 days in captivity.
Videos circulating online showed the victims arriving at the state secretariat under heavy military escort before being received by government officials.
Prior to Monday’s handover, the victims had been undergoing medical treatment and psychosocial rehabilitation at the Military Hospital in Ibadan, where Governor Makinde visited them on Saturday.
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, also visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the hospital.
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