Rescued Oriire School Principal Opens Up on Harrowing Kidnap Ordeal

The Principal of Oriire International School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has given a chilling account of the terrifying experience she and her colleagues endured during their 56-day captivity. In a heart-wrenching interview, Alamu disclosed that their kidnappers resorted to killing two staff members in a bid to exert pressure on the government to meet their demands. The victims, according to Alamu, were subjected to immense psychological trauma and physical hardship, with the kidnappers employing fear and manipulation to break their spirits. Alamu revealed that the kidnappers killed Mr. Micheal on the second day of their captivity and Deacon on the first Sunday in June, in a desperate attempt to force the government's hand. Despite the harrowing experience, Alamu expressed gratitude to God for preserving their lives and thanked President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the security agencies for their roles in securing their release. The Oyo State government has since taken custody of the rescued pupils and teachers, with Governor Makinde assuring them of the state's commitment to their welfare, education, and recovery. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commended the security agencies for the successful rescue operation but warned against treating it as an isolated victory, stressing the need for intensified efforts to secure the freedom of other kidnap victims across the country. The NHRC's Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, emphasized that every Nigerian deserves equal protection and called for a renewed push to free all kidnap victims. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has also urged Nigerians to remain united in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges, hailing the security forces for their intelligence-led operation that secured the victims' release.