‘They Tied Children’s Mouths, Beat Them’: Rescued Oyo Principal Recounts 56 Days of Horror in Kidnappers’ Den

The Principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has narrated the terrifying 56 days she, teachers and schoolchildren spent in the hands of kidnappers, describing the experience as one of hunger, brutality, fear and endless movement through forests.

Speaking days after their rescue by security operatives, Alamu said the abductors tied the mouths of crying children to keep them silent, mercilessly beat some of the pupils and subjected the male teachers to even harsher treatment by blindfolding and chaining them throughout the ordeal.

According to her, the victims were constantly moved from one forest location to another, especially at night, as the kidnappers tried to evade security forces closing in on them.

She explained that they trekked for several hours almost every night under difficult conditions, often without food or water, while the children struggled to cope with exhaustion and fear.

Alamu disclosed that although she escaped physical assault, many of the children were beaten whenever they cried or failed to obey the kidnappers’ instructions.

“They tied the children’s mouths so they would not cry. Some of them were beaten into silence, while the male teachers were blindfolded and chained,” she recalled.

She added that food was grossly inadequate, leaving the captives hungry for days, while they slept in the open under harsh weather conditions with no certainty of survival.

The principal said the psychological trauma was overwhelming, especially for the young pupils who were separated from their families and forced to witness acts of violence.

Despite the horrifying experience, Alamu expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for securing their freedom after nearly two months in captivity.

“We are grateful to Mr President. We saw his commitment. We thank all the security operatives because they tried so much. That is why we are still alive,” she said in an emotional message delivered alongside the rescued pupils and teachers.

Global Mirror News gathered that the successful rescue followed an intensive Military, Police and intelligence-led operation that lasted 56 days.

According to the Presidency, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised. Authorities also clarified that the Federal Government did not negotiate or exchange any prisoner for the victims’ release despite the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a detained Boko Haram commander.

President Tinubu hailed the operation as a major success and vowed that everyone responsible for the attack, including those involved in the murder of teacher Michael Oyedokun, would face justice.

He also directed emergency Agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care, counselling and other support for the rescued victims.

Governor Seyi Makinde described the rescue as a huge relief for the State, thanking the President, the Armed Forces, the DSS, the Nigeria Police and all Security Agencies for their determination and professionalism throughout the rescue mission.

The Governor also commended the media and members of the public who sustained attention on the abduction until the victims regained their freedom.

However, while many families celebrated the victims’ return, the family of slain teacher Michael Oyedokun said their joy remained incomplete.

Oyedokun, one of the teachers abducted during the May 15 attack, was reportedly beheaded by the terrorists a day after the kidnapping in a bid to discourage security forces from pursuing the gang.

His family said that although they rejoiced with the rescued victims, the pain of losing their loved one would remain forever.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed members of the Ansaru terrorist group invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, L.A. Primary School and Community Grammar School in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.

The attack left one teacher dead and dozens of pupils, teachers and the school principal in captivity until they were rescued after 56 days through coordinated military and intelligence operations.