Rescued Oyo School Principal Recounts 56-Day Captivity, Says Victims Endured Long Treks Through Forest

 The principal who was recently rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following the abduction of schoolchildren and staff in Oyo State has shared details of her ordeal, describing the difficult conditions she and other victims endured while in the hands of their captors.

Speaking after regaining her freedom, the principal said her immediate desire was to reunite with her family.

“I just want to see my husband,” she said.

According to her account, none of the captives was sexually assaulted during the period of captivity. She also stated that she was not physically beaten by the kidnappers.

However, she disclosed that some of the younger children were flogged whenever they became noisy, while the abductors imposed harsh restrictions on the group as they moved through the forest.

The principal explained that the male captives were blindfolded and handcuffed, and that the victims were frequently forced to trek for several hours through the forest at night whenever the kidnappers believed security forces were closing in on their location.

Her account offers a glimpse into the physical and emotional hardships faced by the victims during the nearly two-month ordeal and underscores the challenges encountered in kidnapping incidents across parts of Nigeria.

The rescue of the principal and other captives has been welcomed by families, community members, and public officials, although concerns remain over the psychological impact of the experience and the need for continued support for those affected.

Authorities have continued investigations into the abduction, while efforts to improve security around schools and prevent similar incidents remain ongoing.