Mrs Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has disclosed that two teachers were deliberately killed by kidnappers during a 56-day abduction that ended last Friday. The kidnappers held Alamu, scores of pupils, and other staff after attacking the school. The slain teachers were identified as Mr Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher beheaded on the second day, and Mr Esiyan Adegboye, a 49-year-old teacher shot during the initial attack. Adegboye was buried in Ogbomoso on May 22.
Alamu spoke on Monday after she and the rescued victims were formally received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government House. She stated that the kidnappers believed the killings would increase pressure on the government to meet their demands, aware that the mass abduction had drawn national and international attention. "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," she said.
The abductees spent most of the 56 days in an open forest, exposed to scorching sun and heavy rain. Alamu said efforts were made to protect and comfort the children despite the harsh conditions. While she was not physically assaulted, she revealed that younger pupils were repeatedly beaten when they cried or made noise. The Federal Government handed over the rescued pupils and teachers to the Oyo State Government after security agencies secured their release on Friday.
The kidnappers killed two teachers while holding the principal captive, yet believed the government would negotiate only after such violence. The principal said they knew the world was watching, yet chose brutality over silence. Survivors now face lasting trauma, including children beaten for crying during captivity. The state received them formally, but the forest ordeal ended only after lives were already lost.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
