A teacher who was among those abducted from a secondary school in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has shared a firsthand account of the group’s release, raising fresh questions about the Nigerian government’s explanation of how the victims regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

Speaking during an interview on Naija Info radio after his release, Olatunde Zaccheaus recounted that he, fellow teachers, and students were released by their captors, who instructed them to leave before they eventually encountered security personnel after hours of trekking through forests and crossing rivers.

His testimony differs from the official position of the Federal Government, which stated that the victims were rescued through a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian military and other security agencies.

Teacher Says Captors Announced Their Release

According to Zaccheaus, there was no gun battle or military raid at the location where they were being held.

He explained that after several weeks in captivity, the group’s commander informed them that they would regain their freedom and encouraged them to thank God.

The teacher said the captors later removed their blindfolds, unlocked their chains and handcuffs, and directed them to leave the camp.

He also revealed that during their captivity, the abductors repeatedly threatened to kill the adult victims if the government refused to negotiate with them, while warning that the children could be taken away if their demands were ignored.

Long Trek Through Forests Before Meeting Security Personnel

After leaving the camp, Zaccheaus said the victims walked for between 40 minutes and one hour before meeting motorcycles arranged by their captors.

Following another journey, they were reportedly dropped near a village and instructed to continue on foot because the motorcycles could not travel further.

The group then trekked for more than an hour through difficult terrain, crossing two rivers before arriving at a settlement.

According to the teacher, the victims initially feared they were about to be kidnapped again when they saw two vehicles waiting ahead, only to discover they belonged to security personnel.

Government Maintains Victims Were Rescued

The teacher’s version of events contrasts with statements issued by the Federal Government after the victims regained their freedom.

The government announced that Nigerian security agencies, working alongside local vigilantes, successfully rescued the abducted teachers and students without paying any ransom.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that all the abducted teachers and pupils had been rescued by security agencies.

Government officials also announced that several suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while others were reportedly neutralised. Authorities maintained that no concessions were made to secure the victims’ release and that no ransom was paid.

Public Reactions Continue

Following the government’s announcement, many Nigerians questioned whether ransom payments were made despite official assurances to the contrary.

The Defence Headquarters later released a video, stating that the victims’ freedom resulted from intelligence-led operations and effective collaboration among security agencies.

However, Zaccheaus’ testimony has renewed public debate over exactly how the teachers and students regained their freedom and what role security forces played in the final stages of the incident.

As of the time of reporting, government authorities have not publicly responded to the differences between the teacher’s account and the official rescue narrative.