The principal of the Oyo school a.bducted by gu.nmen has recounted the terrifying final weeks she and other victims spent in captivity, revealing how relentless military airstrikes, hunger, illness and repeated de.ath thre.ats tested their resolve before they were eventually rescued
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at Antioch Baptist Church in Ogbomoso on Sunday, Mrs. Alamu described the seventh week of their ordeal as the most difficult.
“The seventh week was the hardest for us all. That was when the troops increased their air raids. It was so intense and persistent that at a point the fear of the bandits became secondary. We were just praying that missiles would not be accidentally dropped on us. But God kept us because we were so exposed, only covered with polythene bags and grasses,” she said.
Mrs. Alamu also recalled that the k!dnappers became enraged after hearing that the government had promised the hostages would regain their freedom before the end of the week.
“They had told us the previous week that the governor said that before Friday, the next week, we would be released. So we were calm. But when the air raids started on Tuesday, they became so furious,” she said.
She further revealed that the camp commander later called her out and threatened to kill one of the captives.
“He said, ‘Principal, come.’ 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 recounted.
Mrs. Alamu said she pleaded with the commander to lower his ransom demand instead of carrying out the threat.
“I said, ‘What your heart is asking for is beyond any of the victims’ families. Just ask for what we can run around for.’ He said, ‘Okay, I will send you a message,’” she added.
She also described another frightening moment later that night when the captives heard the k!dnappers digging into the ground and feared someone was about to be buried alive.
“Later in the night, we started hearing shovels working. The two men with us were shouting and pleading. We all knew what that meant. They were about to bury another person. But to the glory of God, they only asked us to move because they could no longer stay in that place,” she said.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
