The rescued principal of Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has revealed that the kidnappers deliberately killed two abducted teachers to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
Alamu disclosed this on Monday while speaking with journalists after she, the rescued teachers and pupils were received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government House.
According to her, the abductors murdered Mathematics teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, on the second day of their captivity by beheading him, while another teacher, Mr Esiyan Adegboye, was shot dead during the attack on the school. Adegboye was buried in Ogbomoso on May 22.
“There were times we believed we would all come out alive. The terrorists killed Mr Michael on the second day of our abduction, while Deacon, the second teacher, was killed on the first Sunday of June,” she said.
“They killed them purposely because they thought it would force the hand of the government to provide them whatever they wanted. They already knew the whole world was interested in our case. We have scars already, and we believe God will heal us. We appreciate everyone who contributed to this success.”
Recounting their 56-day ordeal, Alamu said they spent most of the time in the open forest, enduring harsh weather conditions while caring for the children.
“You can only imagine it. It was not easy. We were in the forest, in the open, most of the time, under the sun and under the rain, with the children. But we kept going because there was no way out.
“We knew it was only God that could help us, and we believed people were praying for us. That kept us going,” she said.
Alamu added that although she was not physically assaulted, several of the younger pupils were severely beaten by the kidnappers whenever they cried or made noise.
