According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Saturday, July 18, 2026, survivors of a mass abduction in Oriire, Oyo State have recounted how they regained freedom after 56 days in captivity.
Their release has brought relief to affected communities. One of the victims, school counsellor Olatunde Zachaeus, described how their captors suddenly changed attitude.ѕєє тнє ν!∂єσ нєяє
He said the militants’ commander appeared cheerful and announced their release.
He said: “The way we were freed was miraculous. After 56 days in terrorist’s den, their commander came smiling and said we are free. They said we should thank God that we had been freed. They told us to open our eyes. They removed the blindfold and the handcuff and asked us to go.”
Zachaeus explained that confusion followed as some captives ran off while he struggled with his handcuffs.
He recalled: “My people had run far. I was just running towards a direction. Their commander called me back. He pointed his gun at me and said, ‘come’. I went back to him. He asked me to follow another direction.”
He continued: “He followed me. We trekked for like forty minutes to one hour. We met others and then they provided motorcycles that took us from that bush to the nearest village. At that village, they stopped and asked us to move with our legs. We trekked for one hour, thirty minutes before we got to Alawusa, where those security men sent to receive us were waiting.”
He added: “The terrorists told us we were going to meet two rivers. The second river was filled to the bank. I carried the children across, even some elders. There was a little child that fell into the river. I quickly picked her.”
Zachaeus also described fear upon encountering security personnel.
He said: “We thought we had moved from frying pan to fire. They were speaking Hausa. We said God has just saved us from some Hausa people, we are falling into another. I checked the bus’ number plate and saw none. I was afraid they might take us to Mali.”
He said reassurance came after verification. He stated: “They called someone who spoke English, then another who spoke Yoruba and said: ‘Eyin eniyan mi, e fokan ba’le.’ That was how they brought us back.”
He further revealed that captives were chained, blindfolded, and poorly fed.
He also recounted the killing of two staff members and said the group identified itself as ISWAP, restricting open prayers but allowing silent ones.
