Oriire Principal Shares Captivity Experience at Thanksgiving

The principal of Esinle Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has recounted her 58-day ordeal in captivity, describing the seventh week as the most frightening period before she and other abductees regained their freedom. According to Tribune Online, she shared her testimony during a thanksgiving service at Antioch Baptist Church in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

Mrs. Alamu said she never imagined the experience would test her faith so deeply. She explained that the fear inside the camp grew worse as military operations intensified around their location.

She recalled that the seventh week brought the greatest anxiety for everyone in captivity. Frequent air strikes, she said, created fresh fears because the victims worried they could be caught in the crossfire.

“The seventh week was the hardest for us. The military operations became more intense, and our greatest concern was that we might be struck accidentally during the bombardments,” she said.

She explained that the sound of aircraft and explosions filled the camp with panic. She said the captives prayed constantly for God’s protection as uncertainty surrounded them each day.

Mrs. Alamu revealed that before the military offensive intensified, the kidnappers had told them Governor Seyi Makinde assured they would regain their freedom before the end of the week. She said the information initially lifted their spirits and gave them renewed hope.

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Everything changed when the air raids began a few days later, she said. According to her, the kidnappers became more aggressive as pressure from security forces increased.

She also recalled a tense moment when one of the gang leaders suddenly called for her. Fear immediately set in because she did not know why she had been summoned, and she admitted she expected the worst.

Despite the frightening experience, she said God strengthened her throughout the ordeal. She thanked Him for preserving the lives of everyone who survived the abduction.

Family members, church members, friends and well-wishers joined the thanksgiving service to celebrate her safe return. They praised God for bringing her and the other victims back alive after nearly two months in captivity.

The abduction of pupils and teachers from Esinle Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area attracted nationwide attention and renewed concerns about attacks on schools. The victims eventually regained their freedom after spending 58 days in the kidnappers’ camp.