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The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Alamu Folawe, has recounted the experience she and other abducted teachers and pupils endured in captivity.

She disclosed that the kidnappers deliberately killed two of their colleagues to pressure the government while leaving the survivors with lasting emotional scars.

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

She described their time in captivity as a harrowing experience marked by fear, uncertainty, and the constant threat of death.

“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.

The principal said the abductors repeatedly used fear and psychological intimidation to weaken the captives, telling them that the government had abandoned them and no longer cared about their fate.

“A relief to us is that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At one point they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us. But there were times we held on to hope that we would come out alive,” she recalled

She revealed that the kidnappers executed two captives in an attempt to force the government’s hand.

“Mr. Michael was killed on the second day, while Deacon was killed 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 said.

She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies involved in the rescue operation and Nigerians whose prayers and support sustained hope throughout their captivity.

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The Nigerian Army has officially handed over the teachers and pupils rescued from captivity in Oyo State to Governor Seyi Makinde.

The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan, where the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Chinedu Nnebeufe, personally presented the rescued victims to the governor.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and spent more than 50 days in captivity before regaining their freedom.

They were rescued on July 12 following an extensive security operation involving the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

The operation, which lasted several weeks, reportedly targeted the kidnappers’ network, logistics channels and hideouts before the victims were eventually freed.

Receiving the rescued teachers and pupils, Governor Makinde expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the safe release of the victims.

The successful rescue has been widely welcomed by Nigerians, with many commending the coordinated operation while urging security agencies to sustain efforts aimed at tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.

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A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has said it is willing to assist Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the embattled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in seeking asylum in the United States.

The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the firm also called for an investigation by American authorities into allegations made by Adeyemi against senior Nigerian government officials.

The development follows a series of posts shared over the weekend and on Monday by the firm’s representative, Dr Von Batten, on 𝕏.

In one of the posts published on Saturday, Von Batten said the organisation was interested in speaking directly with Adeyemi and was prepared to support any application for asylum and whistleblower protection.

“To anyone in contact with Mr. Adeyemi, we are very interested in speaking with him. We are prepared to assist Mr Adeyemi in seeking asylum in the United States and requesting whistleblower protection,” he wrote.

The lobbyist argued that allegations involving World Bank-financed projects could attract the attention of US authorities because of Washington’s role in the international financial institution.

“Because @WorldBankGroup funds reportedly form part of Nigeria’s national budget, and the United States is the World Bank’s largest shareholder, any credible allegations involving those funds would be of significant interest to U.S. authorities,” he stated.

He further warned that if anything happened to Adeyemi, his organisation would demand a thorough investigation into the circumstances.

In another statement issued on Monday, Von Batten said he had spoken directly with Adeyemi and believed his claims deserved further scrutiny.

He wrote, “This is Dr. Von Batten. I just spoke with Mr. Adeyemi. I found him to be sincere and credible.

“Based on our discussion, I believe his allegations warrant an investigation by Congress, @StateDept, @USTreasury, @USGAO, and other relevant U.S. agencies due to the alleged misappropriation of U.S.-funded World Bank loans by senior members of the Nigerian government.”

He also claimed that his organisation had already briefed senior members of US President Donald Trump’s team and would begin engagements with members of Congress this week.

“This past weekend, I briefed senior members of President @realDonaldTrump’s team on these allegations, and our team will begin briefing Members of Congress this week,” he added.

According to Von Batten, Adeyemi alleged that he was appointed to head the PFIPC by President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The lobbyist further claimed that Adeyemi told him the agency operated from government premises, maintained accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and received funding from the national budget, including resources allegedly linked to World Bank-supported projects.

Von Batten also said Adeyemi accused Gbajabiamila of demanding 45 per cent of the agency’s budget and alleged that he became a target after refusing to comply.

The claims have not been independently verified, and the Presidency has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to the PFIPC controversy.

The American lobbyist also claimed that Adeyemi informed him that he and members of his family had gone into hiding over fears for their safety.

Von Batten warned that if any harm came to Adeyemi while he was preparing to cooperate with US authorities, those circumstances should be thoroughly investigated.