Why kidnappers killed two Oyo teachers – Rescued Principal

The principal of Community High School, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has revealed that the kidnappers who held her, scores of pupils and other teachers captive for 56 days deliberately killed two teachers in a bid to force the government to meet their demands.

Alamu made the disclosure on Monday while speaking with journalists after she and the rescued victims were formally received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government House.

She identified the slain teachers as Mr Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher who was beheaded on the second day of the abduction, and Mr Esiyan Adegboye, a 49-year-old teacher who was shot dead during the attack on the schools. Adegboye was buried in Ogbomoso on May 22.

According to the principal, the kidnappers believed killing the teachers would pile pressure on the government to accede to their demands, having realised that the mass abduction had attracted 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.

Alamu, however, expressed gratitude to God and everyone who played a role in securing the victims’ freedom, saying the survivors were hopeful of overcoming the emotional scars left by the traumatic experience.

She recounted the ordeal in captivity, describing how the abductees spent most of the 56 days in the open forest, exposed to harsh weather conditions while struggling to protect and comfort the children.

“It was not easy. We stayed in the forest under the scorching sun and heavy rain with the children. We kept going because there was no way out. We believed God would help us, and we drew strength from knowing that people were praying for us,” she said.

Although she was not physically assaulted, Alamu disclosed that many of the younger pupils were repeatedly beaten whenever they cried or made noise, adding to the trauma they endured during the long captivity.

The rescued pupils and teachers were handed over to the Oyo State Government by the Federal Government after security agencies secured their release on Friday following more than 50 days in captivity.