Makinde Seeks UN Probe as Rescued Oyo Principal Reveals Why Kidnappers Killed 2 Teachers During 56-day Ordeal

Segun Atanda/

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called for an independent investigation by the United Nations and international human rights organisations into the abduction of pupils and teachers of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, all in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the circumstances surrounding the attack as too disturbing to ignore.

The governor’s appeal came as the rescued principal of the school, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, gave a chilling first-hand account of the 56 days the pupils and teachers spent in captivity, revealing that the kidnappers deliberately murdered two male teachers in a calculated attempt to force the government to accede to their demands.

Makinde spoke on Monday while officially receiving the rescued pupils and teachers at the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, days after security forces secured their freedom through a major military operation.

The governor said the nature of the abduction, the prolonged captivity of schoolchildren and the conduct of the kidnappers raised serious questions requiring international scrutiny.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny,” Makinde said, urging the United Nations and global human rights bodies to investigate the incident and document the abuses committed against the victims.

He maintained that while the successful rescue was a major relief, the world must understand what transpired in the forests where the victims were held for almost two months.

Giving the most detailed public account yet of the ordeal, Alamu disclosed that the kidnappers intentionally executed two male teachers to increase pressure on government negotiators.

“The terrorists killed Mr Michael, the first teacher, on the second day of our abduction and Deacon, the second teacher, was killed on the first Sunday of June,” she said.

“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.

“We have scars already, and we believe that God will heal us. We appreciate everyone that contributed to this success.”

The slain teachers were identified as Mathematics teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly beheaded in captivity, and Deacon John Olaleye, who was shot dead during the period of captivity.

Mrs Alamu’s account offers the clearest explanation yet for the killings, suggesting they were tactical executions designed to strengthen the kidnappers’ bargaining position.

The principal said surviving the ordeal required extraordinary resilience from both teachers and pupils, who spent most of their 56-day captivity exposed to the elements in dense forest.

“You can only imagine it. 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.

“We knew it was only God that could help us, and we believed people were praying for us. That kept us going.”

She disclosed that although she was not physically assaulted, many of the younger children suffered repeated beatings whenever they cried or made noise.

According to her, the kidnappers often tied children’s mouths to prevent them from making sounds that could expose their location.

Mrs Alamu further revealed that the male teachers endured the harshest treatment throughout the ordeal.

According to her, they were routinely blindfolded, chained and tied up by the abductors.

She, however, said none of the pupils or teachers suffered sexual assault during their captivity.

She added that during the first week, the kidnappers gave biscuits to the children in an apparent effort to calm them before conditions deteriorated.

Monday’s ceremony marked the formal transfer of the rescued victims from the Federal Government to the Oyo State Government.

Video footage circulating online showed the pupils and teachers arriving under heavy military escort before being received by the Governor.

The victims had spent several days receiving medical treatment and psychosocial care at the Military Hospital, Ibadan, following their rescue.

Makinde had visited them at the hospital on Saturday to assess their condition before Monday’s formal reception.

The abduction occurred on May 15 when heavily armed gunmen simultaneously attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting scores of pupils, teachers and other school personnel

During the abductions on May 15, another teacher, Mr Esiyan Adegboye and a security guard were shot dead by the attackers. Adegboye was buried in Ogbomoso on May 22.

The incident triggered widespread outrage across Nigeria and renewed concerns over the growing spate of attacks on schools despite repeated assurances by security agencies.

Following weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated military operations, troops eventually rescued the victims during carefully planned operations in the Old Oyo National Park and adjoining forests.

The Federal Government announced on Friday that all surviving abducted pupils and teachers had been rescued alive before handing them over to the Oyo State Government on Monday.

Although the rescue has brought relief to families, the deaths of two teachers and the traumatic experiences narrated by the survivors have renewed calls for stronger protection of schools, improved intelligence gathering and sustained military operations against armed groups operating in forests across the South-West.

Makinde said beyond celebrating the successful rescue, the international community must pay close attention to what happened in the forests of Oyo State to ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable.

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