The Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs. Alamu Folawe, has narrated the harrowing 56-day ordeal she and dozens of pupils and teachers endured in the hands of kidnappers.

She revealed that the abductors executed two of their colleagues in a desperate attempt to force the government into meeting their demands.

She spoke on Monday during the official handover of the rescued victims to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army.

Folawe said the captives were subjected to constant fear, psychological torture and threats of death throughout their stay in the forest.

According to her, what began as a normal school day on May 15 turned into a nightmare after armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area and whisked away pupils, teachers and school administrators into the bush, where they remained for nearly two months.

"We're grateful to God. On May 15, a Friday that started well ended in chaos for us, and for 56 days we were in the bush.

"It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot," she said.

Folawe disclosed that the kidnappers repeatedly attempted to break the victims' morale by telling them that the government had abandoned them and was no longer interested in securing their freedom.

She said despite the intimidation, the captives remained hopeful, drawing strength from the belief that Nigerians were praying for them and that they would eventually regain their freedom.

The principal revealed that the abductors deliberately killed two of their colleagues to intensify pressure on the authorities.

According to her, Mr. Michael was murdered on the second day of their captivity, while another victim identified as Deacon was executed on the first Sunday in June.

"They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted," she said

"It was until we got out that we discovered the whole world was on our case. We have scars already, but we believe with time we will heal," she added.

Folawe expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Makinde, the military and other security agencies for their efforts, as well as Nigerians whose prayers and support sustained the victims throughout the ordeal.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The attack claimed the lives of an assistant headmaster and a commercial motorcyclist, while another teacher was later killed in captivity.

The victims regained their freedom on July 10 following an intelligence-led, multi-agency operation involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Police, National Intelligence Agency, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes.

Authorities said eight suspected kidnappers were arrested, several others were neutralised and no ransom or prisoner exchange was made to secure the victims' release.