Fear of airstrikes overshadowed bandits during 56-day captivity, says Oyo principal

The principal of Esinle Community High School in Oyo State, Nigeria, has described the harrowing 56 days she and others spent in captivity. Mrs. Rachel Alamu recounted the experience during a thanksgiving service, detailing how intensified military air raids in the seventh week of their ordeal became more terrifying than the bandits themselves.

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The seventh week was the hardest for us all. That was when the troops increased their air raids. It was so intense that, at a point, the fear of the bandits became secondary.

"The seventh week was the hardest for us all. That was when the troops increased their air raids. It was so intense that, at a point, the fear of the bandits became secondary," she said. The captives prayed that missiles would not accidentally hit their location, a fear that overshadowed their concern about their abductors.

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We were just praying that missiles would not accidentally drop on us. We were so afraid. Amidst that fear, God consoled our hearts.

Alamu also revealed that the kidnappers had initially promised freedom, citing assurances from Governor Seyi Makinde. However, the escalating military operations infuriated the gang. A tense moment arose when a commander summoned her, threatening to kill one of the captives due to the government's actions. "See what your government has done. I’m going to kill one of you today," he reportedly said.

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They had told us the previous week that the Governor said that before Friday we would be released, so we were calm. But when the air raids started on Tuesday, they became so furious.

Through desperate pleas, Alamu managed to calm the commander, who then surprisingly asked for her input on resolving the situation. The ordeal continued into the night with sounds of digging, intensifying the captives' fear for their lives.

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Principal, come! I was already shaking because I knew what that could mean.