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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Kidnapped Oyo teachers claim release by abductors before security intervention

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A rescued teacher from Oyo State, Nigeria, claims that he and other captives were released by their abductors before security forces intervened.
  • The captives endured 56 days of captivity, blindfolded and fed basic meals, with initial restrictions on prayer.
  • The abductors identified themselves as members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and communicated in multiple languages.

One of the teachers rescued after 56 days in captivity in Nigeria's Oyo State has stated that the kidnappers released them before security forces arrived. Zacchaeus Olatunde recounted the ordeal, emphasizing the uncertainty and hardship faced by him and fellow captives.

It is difficult to say on air, but I will just say what I can. When we were there, we were blind, not an ordinary blindfold. We didn’t even know if we were in Nigeria or another country. We were just there.

— Zacchaeus OlatundeDescribing the conditions and disorientation during his captivity.

Olatunde described being blindfolded throughout their captivity, making it impossible to determine their location. The abductors communicated in Hausa, Nupe, English, and Yoruba, identifying themselves as members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), distinct from Boko Haram.

During their captivity, the group was fed twice daily with a simple diet of rice, beans, onions, margarine, and salt. Initially, their captors prohibited prayer, but after about a month, they were permitted to pray, albeit with restrictions against mentioning Jesus' name or praying aloud. The teachers were also unable to bathe or wash their clothes for the entire 56 days.

They said they are not Boko Haram. They said they are ISWAP.

— Zacchaeus OlatundeIdentifying the group responsible for the kidnapping.

Olatunde recalled the moment of release, describing the kidnappers' commander informing them they were freed. He was the last to leave due to a broken handcuff key.

All I can say is that God answered all the prayers that people were praying for us.

— Zacchaeus OlatundeExpressing his belief that prayers led to their freedom.

He expressed gratitude for the prayers offered on their behalf, believing they contributed to their release. Despite the harsh conditions, Olatunde noted that the kidnappers provided food and eventually allowed prayer, indicating a degree of compliance with certain demands.

In terms of feeding, those people really tried for us, to be sincere. Right from the day we were abducted, they told us on the way that if we cooperated and the government cooperated, there would be no problem.

— Zacchaeus OlatundeCommenting on the food provided and initial conditions set by the kidnappers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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