The principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele Oyo state, Mrs Rachel Alamu, has recounted how military airstrikes around the kidnappers’ camp became more frightening than the bandits themselves during the final weeks of her 56-day captivity.

Mrs Alamu, who was abducted alongside teachers and pupils from the school in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, shared her experience during a thanksgiving service at Antioch Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, following her release.

Describing the seventh week of their captivity as the most traumatic, she said the intensified military bombardment left the captives fearing they could be killed by stray missiles.

“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 added: “At a point, the fear of the bandits became secondary. We were just praying that missiles would not accidentally drop on us. We were so afraid. Amidst that fear, God consoled our hearts.”

According to the principal, the kidnappers had earlier raised their hopes by telling them that Governor Seyi Makinde had assured them they would be released before Friday.

“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.”

Mrs Alamu said tensions escalated towards the end of that week when one of the gang commanders summoned her.

“Towards the end of that week, the commander came and said, ‘Principal, come!’ I was already shaking because I knew what that could mean.”

She said the commander blamed the government’s military offensive for disrupting their plans before issuing a chilling threat.

“He said, ‘See what your government has done. I’m going to kill one of you today.’ I just fell to the ground and started rolling on the ground, crying.”

The rescued principal said she pleaded with the gang leader to spare their lives.

“I said, ‘I brought four men, remaining two and you still want to take more. I already know that the loss of the other two will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life.’”

According to her, the commander unexpectedly calmed down and asked for her opinion on how the situation could be resolved.

“Very unlike him, he said they should call me and asked, ‘Now your government is doing this, what do you want me to do?’ I told him, ‘What you are asking for is beyond any of the victims’ families. Just ask for what we can run around for.’”

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Mrs Alamu said the terrifying night continued as the captives heard sounds of digging nearby, making them believe the kidnappers were preparing their graves.

“I thought that had gone. Later in the night, we started hearing shovels, and my men started crying, shouting, ‘Mama, talk to them. They have started digging the ground.’”

She said, however, that the feared executions never took place.

“To the glory of God, they later told us to start moving. They told me to warn the children to stop crying; otherwise, they would kill them. But how can I explain to a two- or three-year-old child not to cry or ask for food?”

Mrs Alamu also revealed that throughout the ordeal, one of her biggest prayers was that she would return home to find her family alive.

“I also prayed to God not to meet an empty home, because I knew my husband’s health.”

Reflecting on the 56-day ordeal, she attributed the survival of all the captives to divine intervention, saying it was only God’s mercy that prevented the kidnappers from carrying out their repeated threats.