The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has revealed why kidnappers killed two teachers during the 56-day ordeal of the abducted pupils and staff.
The two teachers killed were Mathematics teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded while in captivity, and Mr Esiyan Adegboye, 49, who was shot dead during the attack. Adegboye was buried in Ogbomoso on May 22.
Speaking with journalists on Monday after the rescued victims were received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government House, Alamu said the kidnappers killed the teachers deliberately in an attempt to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
She said Oyedokun was killed two days after the abduction, while Adegboye was killed on the first Sunday of June.
“They killed them purposely because they thought it would force the hand of the government to provide them whatever they wanted. They already knew that the whole world was interested in our case,” Alamu said.
She added that although the victims were deeply traumatised by the experience, they remained grateful for the efforts of everyone who contributed to their rescue.
“We have scars already, and we believe that God will heal us. We appreciate everyone that contributed to this success,” she said.
Recounting their experience in captivity, the principal described the period as extremely difficult, revealing that the victims spent most of their 56 days in the open forest, exposed to harsh weather conditions.
According to her, the teachers did their best to protect and encourage the children despite the difficult circumstances.
“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,” she said.
Alamu explained that their faith and the belief that Nigerians were praying for them helped them survive the ordeal.
She also disclosed that while she was not physically attacked by the kidnappers, some of the younger pupils suffered severe beatings whenever they cried or made noise.
The rescued pupils and teachers were formally handed over to the Oyo State Government by the Federal Government on Monday after receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support at the Military Hospital in Ibadan.
A video shared by Oyo Affairs showed the victims arriving at the state secretariat under heavy security, with military personnel escorting them into the premises.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, in Oriire Local Government Area.
Their rescue was announced on Friday after more than 50 days in captivity.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, also visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the Military Hospital in Ibadan.
