According to a report by Vanguard on Monday, July 13, 2026, Mrs. Alamu Folawe, the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, on Monday narrated the painful 56-day experience she and other teachers and pupils went through after they were abducted, revealing that the kidnappers intentionally killed two of their colleagues in an attempt to pressure the government.
She explained that although the remaining captives eventually regained their freedom, the traumatic experience has left them with deep emotional wounds that will not be easily forgotten.
Folawe spoke during the official ceremony where the rescued victims were handed over to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army, while addressing those present, she described the period of captivity as one filled with fear, uncertainty and persistent threats to their lives.
According to her, every day in the kidnappers’ camp came with anxiety as they struggled to survive while hoping for rescue.
She explained that the abductors consistently employed psychological tactics to break the spirits of the captives.
They repeatedly attempted to convince them that no rescue operation was being planned and that the authorities had abandoned them completely.
The principal said the kidnappers wanted the victims to lose hope so they would become more vulnerable and easier to control.
According to her, the captives endured weeks of emotional distress as they faced uncertainty over whether they would ever regain their freedom.
The persistent threats from the abductors, coupled with the killings of two members of their group, created an atmosphere of fear that affected both the teachers and the pupils throughout the period of their captivity.
Folawe said that despite the frightening circumstances, many of the victims continued to hold on to hope.
She noted that they encouraged one another whenever possible and refused to completely surrender to despair, believing that their ordeal would eventually come to an end despite the repeated attempts by their captors to destroy their confidence.
She also acknowledged the support they received through the prayers of Nigerians, saying the knowledge that people had not forgotten them became a source of strength during the difficult weeks in captivity.
According to her, the encouragement they drew from that belief helped them endure the emotional and psychological pressure imposed by the kidnappers until they were finally rescued and reunited with their families.
“A relief to us is that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At one point they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us. But there were times we held on to hope that we would come out alive….See More