The principal of the school in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Racheal Alamu, who was abducted alongside teachers and pupils, has narrated the traumatic 56 days they spent in captivity.
Speaking on Tuesday after she and the other rescued victims were presented to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Alamu described how they lived in the open forest under harsh weather conditions while trying to keep the children safe.
She said the victims depended on faith and prayers throughout the ordeal, noting that there was little hope of escape.
According to her, the kidnappers frequently beat younger children whenever they cried or made noise, fearing the sounds could expose their location. She revealed that some children had their mouths tied with pieces of cloth before being beaten, while male teachers were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained.
Alamu, however, said none of the captives was sexually assaulted during the period.
She also disclosed that the abductors repeatedly moved the victims through the forest whenever they suspected security forces were closing in. These relocations often began between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., with adults and older children trekking for three to four hours, leaving many with bruises.
Describing the initial abduction, she said her vehicle was used to transport them before they walked for about an hour to meet other abducted pupils. They were later moved on about 10 motorcycles for more than four hours through remote bush paths.
Reflecting on the experience, Alamu admitted that returning to a rural posting after 28 years in service, with about four years left before retirement, would require great courage.
Family Member Reveals What Victims Ate in Captivity
A relative of one of the rescued pupils said the children survived mainly on cocoyam and noodles, while drinking water from a nearby waterfall inside the Oyo National Forest, where they were allegedly held by Ansaru terrorists.
The relative, identified simply as Olasunbo, said the family spent weeks praying for the victims’ safe return.
She said her nephew told them they sometimes ate only once a day and had little contact with anyone apart from their captors.
Olasunbo thanked God for the rescue and also expressed appreciation to security personnel involved in the operation, while offering condolences to families of officers who lost their lives during the mission.
Security Agencies Combined Intelligence to Rescue Victims
The rescue operation involved personnel from the Defence Headquarters, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS), Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other members of the Joint Interagency Task Force.
Security sources said weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations led to the successful rescue of the 39 pupils and seven teachers, with at least two rescue attempts carried out before they regained their freedom last Friday.
One source said investigators used ransom negotiations to identify members of the terrorists’ network, leading to the arrest of a suspect whose information helped security agencies trace supply routes used by the abductors.
Another account indicated that an earlier military assault resulted in fierce fighting, during which some security personnel were killed, prompting commanders to adopt a more intelligence-led strategy.
Army Officer Dies During Rescue Mission
Among those killed during the operation was Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, a 28-year-old Nigerian Army officer.
Military sources said he led the initial assault into the forest before his convoy struck improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the terrorists.
He was buried with full military honours on the same day the kidnapped teachers and pupils were freed after 56 days in captivity.
Security officials said his sacrifice, along with those of other fallen personnel, contributed significantly to the intelligence-driven operation that eventually secured the hostages’ release.
Intelligence Led Security Forces to Hidden Camp
Investigators said the victims were held in a concealed camp deep inside the Oyo National Forest, close to a flowing stream.
Dense vegetation reportedly made aerial surveillance difficult, forcing operatives to rely on intelligence gathering, intercepted communications, local hunters and guides familiar with the terrain.
Security personnel reportedly trekked for between eight and 10 hours through difficult terrain as they narrowed down the terrorists’ location.
Rather than launch a direct assault that could endanger the hostages, commanders maintained military and intelligence pressure while cutting off the abductors’ supply network until the captives were eventually released.
Retired Military Officers Commend Rescue Operation
Retired senior military officers have praised the rescue mission, describing it as a strong example of effective collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies.
Brig. Gen. O. Adegbesan (retd.) said the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence sharing, coordination and disciplined execution in complex hostage rescue missions.
Another retired officer, Danjuma Saidu, said patience and careful planning are often more effective than force alone in hostage situations, stressing that protecting innocent lives must remain the priority.
The retired officers also dismissed social media claims that ransom was paid, saying there was no credible evidence to support such allegations.
Security analysts described the operation as one of the clearest recent examples of how coordinated intelligence, inter-agency cooperation and carefully planned military operations can achieve successful hostage rescues while minimising risks to victims.
