Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has detailed the harrowing 56 days she and her pupils spent in captivity following a coordinated attack on three schools in the community on 15 May.
Mrs Alamu was among 46 pupils, teachers and school officials abducted when gunmen raided Community High School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), and L.A. Primary School. Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, were killed during the ordeal before security operatives rescued 44 victims on 10 July following an intelligence-led operation.
Speaking during a Thanksgiving service at Antioch Baptist Church in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Sunday, Mrs Alamu described the seventh week in captivity as the most terrifying period of the ordeal.
Fear of airstrikes
Narrating the experience, Mrs Alamu explained that while they initially feared the bandits, the intensity of military air raids later became a source of significant anxiety.
