A survivor of the May 15, 2026 abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has recounted the harrowing conditions endured during 56 days in captivity.
Testifying before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, the witness, identified only as “AAA” for security reasons said the victims were moved through six bush camps, forced to sleep on grass under heavy rain and scorching sun, and denied basic necessities.
She revealed that children as young as 18 months were subjected to the same harsh treatment as adults.
Food was scarce, with captives initially fed rice mixed with salt and palm oil, later reduced to plain rice served in dirty buckets.
Water was so limited that four people often shared a single cup, and what was available was “so dirty we had to close our eyes before drinking.”
The witness also described brutal punishments, including children being flogged when they struggled for food.
She recounted how two teachers, Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun, were beheaded by the abductors after accusing the government of ignoring demands to release detained members of the Ansaru terrorist group.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged five men, Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani with terrorism, kidnapping, conspiracy, and aiding terrorism. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the accused remain in DSS custody throughout the trial, while granting the prosecution’s request to protect witnesses’ identities.
The case continues on September 18 with cross-examination.
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