Army General shares details of Oyo school rescue, survivor recounts trauma

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The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Chinedu Ralph-Nnebeife, on Monday shared the story of a recent rescue operation. This operation freed 44 schoolchildren and teachers who were kidnapped in May in Oyo State. One of the victims, Rachael Alamu, who is the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, recounted the painful experiences they suffered during their 56 days in captivity.

They spoke at a ceremony where the military handed over the 44 schoolchildren and teachers to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. This event took place on Monday at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The ceremony included Governor Makinde, state commissioners, senior military officers, police, the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies.

Military officials said the rescue came after weeks of careful planning and teamwork. This involved the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Air Force, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and vigilantes. They worked together to gather intelligence and conduct joint operations.

The victims were taken on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The schools affected were Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; Primary School, Esiele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota. This led to outrage across the state and prompted teachers in Oyo State to go on an indefinite strike.

The operation cost lives. During the ceremony, a minute’s silence was held to honor two teachers and security personnel who lost their lives during the abduction and the rescue attempts.

Speaking for the rescued victims, Rachael Alamu shared that they faced fear, uncertainty, and mental trauma throughout their 56 days in captivity. She said the kidnappers often tried to convince them that the government had forgotten them because their demands were not met. They used fear and intimidation to try to break their spirit.

“For 56 days, we went through a harrowing experience,” Mrs Alamu said. “Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At some point, they told us the government was no longer interested in our case because it did not value us.”

Mrs Alamu noted that hope faded after one teacher was killed right after the abduction and another died in captivity. She recalled the killing of two teachers, including Michael Oyedokun, whose beheading was shared in a viral video by the kidnappers to pressure the government.

“They killed them purposely because they believed that would force the government to do whatever they wanted,” she said. “We are still grateful that we have the government that thought much of us. It was until we got out that we saw that the whole world was interested in our case.”

Thanking the military, the federal government, Oyo State government, and Nigerians, she added, “We have scars already, but we believe it is now time to heal.”

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Chinedu Ralph-Nnebeife, shared details of the rescue operation. He said troops moved into the forest right after learning of the abduction but faced many challenges due to the tough terrain.

He explained that the thick forest made it hard for drones and surveillance aircraft to find the kidnappers. This forced security forces to rely mainly on ground operations. “We deployed drones and the Air Force conducted surveillance flights, but because of the density of the forest, sunlight could hardly penetrate some areas,” he said.

“The operation therefore became a ground operation deep inside the forest.” He added that the military later expanded the operation by including special forces and coordinating with the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, and various security agencies.

The coordinated efforts included blocking escape routes in Kwara State, breaking down the kidnappers’ support system, and finding those aiding the criminal gang. The senior military officer said security agencies did not negotiate with the kidnappers despite ongoing pressure. He noted that the kidnappers eventually released the victims due to sustained military pressure.

“We have always maintained that we will never yield to terrorists’ wishes, and we will never do that,” he said. He explained that the operation aimed not just at rescuing the victims but also at identifying the kidnappers, breaking their network, and stopping their logistics.

“We are not giving up on them. It is not over. We must see the end of terrorists operating in that region,” he said. Mr Ralph-Nnebeife also acknowledged the sacrifices made by security personnel. He revealed that an officer and a soldier were killed during the operation, while several others were injured.

He said one of the fallen officers was buried on the same day the rescue operation made significant progress. He praised President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and Governor Makinde for their support during the lengthy operation.

In response to criticisms about how the government handled the crisis, the GOC dismissed claims that the Oyo State Government was indifferent. “Contrary to what some reports suggested, the governor kept calling to know what was happening. He was deeply involved throughout the operation,” he said.