Oyo Principal Says Pupils Were Beaten, Teachers Chained During 56-Day Captivity

The principal abducted with pupils and teachers in Oyo State has given a fuller account of their 56 days in captivity, saying children were beaten into silence while male teachers were chained and blindfolded.

Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area, spoke after the rescued victims were handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.

NaijaTrend earlier reported the release of the abducted pupils and teachers here. The new accounts give details of what happened during the weeks they spent in the forest.

Alamu said the victims were kept in the open under sun and rain, and that younger pupils were beaten whenever they cried or made noise. She said male captives suffered harsher treatment, including being blindfolded, handcuffed and chained by the legs.

She also said the kidnappers repeatedly moved the group at night whenever they feared security forces had found their hideouts. Daily Trust reported that two teachers were killed during the captivity, while relatives told Vanguard the victims survived on items such as cocoyam and noodles and drank from a waterfall.

Makinde has called for international scrutiny of the abduction and asked for a full account of who was responsible, whether any institution failed in its duty and what steps will stop similar attacks on schools.

Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times, Daily Trust