Mrs. Alamu Folawe, the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, has recounted the traumatic 56-day ordeal she and other abducted teachers and pupils endured in captivity.
Alamu, on July 13, Monday, disclosed that the kidnappers deliberately killed two of their colleagues to pressure the government while leaving the survivors with lasting emotional scars.
The disclosure was made by Folawe during the official handover of the rescued victims to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army.
The principal said the abductors repeatedly used fear and psychological intimidation to weaken the captives, telling them that the government had abandoned them and no longer cared about their fate.
She disclosed that the captives drew strength from the prayers of Nigerians despite the kidnappers’ repeated attempts to discourage them.
According to her, the abductors claimed the government was no longer interested in their rescue because their lives did not matter, but the victims continued to hold on to hope that they would regain their freedom.
Folawe further revealed that the kidnappers killed two of her colleagues in an attempt to force the government to meet their demands.
She said Mr. Michael was killed on the second day of their captivity, while another victim identified as Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June.
She explained that the abductors believed the killings would compel the government to give them whatever they wanted.
However, it was only after their rescue that they realised Nigerians and the international community had been following their ordeal closely.
The principal said the victims were left with emotional scars from the experience but expressed confidence that time would bring healing.
She appreciated President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the security agencies involved in the rescue operation and Nigerians whose prayers and support sustained their hope throughout their captivity.
