I prayed my grave wouldn’t be in the forest — Oyo school principal

The principal of a secondary school abducted in Nigeria's Oyo State has shared the terrifying ordeal of her captivity, detailing how intensified military operations, hunger, and constant death threats pushed the hostages to their limits. Mrs. Rachael Alamu described the seventh week of captivity as the most difficult, as persistent military airstrikes created a new layer of fear. "We were just praying that missiles would not be accidentally dropped on us," she said, recounting how the hostages were exposed, with only polythene bags and grasses for cover.

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We were just praying that missiles would not be accidentally dropped on us.

The kidnappers grew furious when they heard the government had promised the hostages' release before the end of a specific week. Mrs. Alamu recounted being summoned by the camp commander, who threatened to kill one of them. "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 recalled.

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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 pleaded with the commander to reduce the ransom demands, saying, "What your heart is asking for is beyond any of the victims’ families. Just ask for what we can run around for." Later that night, the captives heard digging, fearing another hostage was about to be executed. However, they were only asked to move as the kidnappers relocated. The principal also described the daily reality of hunger in the forest, as the kidnappers feared cooking fires would reveal their location.

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What your heart is asking for is beyond any of the victims’ families. Just ask for what we can run around for.