A teacher rescued after spending 56 days in captivity in Oyo State, Zacchaeus Olatunde, has disclosed that he and other abductees were released by their kidnappers before security personnel arrived to escort them to safety.
Olatunde made the revelation during an interview on Nigeria Info FM, where he recounted the traumatic ordeal he endured after he and dozens of pupils were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to him, the captors unexpectedly informed the victims that they were free to leave after weeks in captivity. He said the abductees had already been released by the kidnappers before soldiers eventually reached them and escorted them home.
The teacher described the 56-day ordeal as harrowing, saying the victims lived under constant fear and uncertainty while being moved through remote forest locations. He recounted the physical and emotional hardship they endured, adding that the experience would remain with them for a long time.
Olatunde’s account differs from the official position of the Nigerian Army, which said the victims regained their freedom following a sustained intelligence-led operation carried out by troops in collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilantes and hunters. The military said the operation dismantled the kidnappers’ network and forced the abductors to release the captives.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when suspected Ansaru terrorists attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The victims spent 56 days in captivity before regaining their freedom on July 10. During the period, one teacher was reportedly killed by the abductors.
Following their release, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde announced that the state government had assumed responsibility for the welfare of the rescued pupils and teachers. He said the victims would receive medical care, psychological support and other forms of assistance to aid their recovery and reintegration into society.
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