Missiles, hunger and death threats nearly broke us – Rescued Oyo principal recounts harrowing weeks in captivity

Nigeria: The principal of the Oyo school recently abducted by gunmen has shared a chilling account of the final weeks she and other captives spent in the kidnappers' camp, describing an ordeal marked by relentless military airstrikes, severe hardship and repeated threats to their lives before they eventually regained their freedom.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service at Antioch Baptist Church in Ogbomoso on Sunday, Mrs. Alamu said the seventh week of their captivity proved to be the most traumatic, as intensified military operations brought fresh fears even as hope for rescue remained alive.

“The seventh week was the hardest for us all. That was when the troops increased their air raids. It was so intense and persistent that at a point the fear of the bandits became secondary. We were just praying that missiles would not be accidentally dropped on us. But God kept us because we were so exposed, only covered with polythene bags and grasses,” she said.

Mrs. Alamu revealed that the kidnappers became visibly angered after learning that the government had assured the public the hostages would be freed before the end of the week. According to her, the intensified military bombardment appeared to heighten tensions inside the camp.

“They had told us the previous week that the governor said that before Friday, the next week, we would be released. So we were calm. But when the air raids started on Tuesday, they became so furious,” she recalled.

She narrated how the camp commander later summoned her and issued a terrifying threat to execute one of the captives in retaliation for the military offensive.

“He said, ‘Principal, come.’ I was already shaking because I knew what that could mean. Immediately, he said, ‘See what your government has done. I’m going to kill one of you today.’ I just fell down, rolling on the ground,” she recounted.

Rather than watch the threat unfold, Mrs. Alamu said she appealed to the commander to reconsider, urging him to reduce the ransom demand instead of harming any of the hostages.

“I said, ‘What your heart is asking for is beyond any of the victims’ families. Just ask for what we can run around for.’ He said, ‘Okay, I will send you a message,’” she added.

The principal also described another tense moment later that night when the captives heard the sound of shovels striking the ground, prompting fears that one of them was about to be buried alive.

“Later in the night, we started hearing shovels working. The two men with us were shouting and pleading. We all knew what that meant. They were about to bury another person. But to the glory of God, they only asked us to move because they could no longer stay in that place,” she said.

Mrs. Alamu's emotional testimony offers a rare glimpse into the harsh realities endured by kidnapping victims, highlighting the psychological trauma, uncertainty and constant danger they faced while awaiting rescue.