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The Principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has disclosed that kidnappers who held her, other teachers and pupils captive for 56 days killed two of their colleagues in an attempt to force the government to meet their demands.

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

Recounting their ordeal, the principal described the period in captivity as traumatic and filled with fear, uncertainty and repeated threats to their lives.

“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.

According to her, the abductors subjected the victims to intense psychological torture, repeatedly telling them that the government had abandoned them and was no longer interested in securing their release.

“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 said.

Alamu revealed that the kidnappers eventually executed two of the captives in a bid to intensify pressure on the authorities.

“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 stated.

She said it was only after they regained their freedom that the victims realised that many Nigerians had been following their ordeal and praying for their safe return.

“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.

The principal expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies involved in the rescue operation, as well as Nigerians who supported them with prayers during their captivity.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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The government stressed that no adjustment to examination fees would take effect until discussions with stakeholders are concluded.

The Federal Government has suspended its proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), following public concerns over the move.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government announced the withdrawal of a June 18, 2026 letter that had communicated the proposed adjustment in examination fees.

According to the statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the decision was taken to allow for broader consultations and a fresh review of the proposal before any final determination is made.

“The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement read.

The proposed increase would have raised the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations from N27,500 to N50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an 82 per cent increase.

The ministry explained that the planned review was prompted by the rising cost of conducting public examinations across the country. It noted that examination fees have remained largely unchanged for years despite significant increases in operational expenses.

According to the ministry, growing costs in areas such as logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other critical services have continued to put pressure on examination bodies.
However, it said the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, had directed that implementation of the proposal be halted pending consultations.

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the statement said.

The ministry stressed that no adjustment to examination fees would take effect until discussions with stakeholders are concluded.

It disclosed that consultations would involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other relevant partners.

The statement added that the government remains committed to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are subjected to adequate scrutiny and reflect public interest.

Reaffirming its position, the ministry said students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda.
It also pledged to keep Nigerians informed throughout the consultation process before any decision is reached on the proposed fee review.

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The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of aiding efforts to weaken opposition parties by allegedly granting a rival faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) access to its candidate nomination portal.

In a statement issued on Monday, Atiku’s media office claimed that Nafiu Bala Gombe, who lays claim to the ADC national chairmanship, announced on July 11 that he had successfully uploaded the names of candidates to INEC’s portal despite the commission’s recognition of the David Mark-led National Executive Committee.

The statement argued that granting portal access to Gombe was contrary to INEC’s own guidelines and the Electoral Act, insisting that only the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark is legally recognised by the commission.

According to the media office, the electoral body has neither confirmed nor denied Gombe’s claim, a development it described as evidence of partisanship and an attempt to create confusion within the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.

The statement also accused INEC official Prof. Joash Amupitan of allegedly fuelling internal crises in opposition parties and advancing what it described as President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to weaken political opponents.

Citing Sections 222 of the 1999 Constitution and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the media office maintained that only candidates who emerge from recognised party primaries can be submitted to INEC, arguing that any nomination allegedly made by Gombe’s faction would be invalid.

It called on INEC to clarify the status of the alleged portal access and urged the commission to remain neutral in the management of political party affairs.

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INEC had yet to issue an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.