Oyo kidnap victims drank dirty water, ate unsalted rice — Survivor

A woman who survived a kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in May 2026 in Oyo State recounted harrowing details to a Federal High Court in Abuja. She described being held captive for 56 days, enduring hunger, thirst, exposure, and brutal treatment. She and the other victims were moved through six different locations in the bush, often barefoot, sleeping on grass, and exposed to extreme weather.

Some of the victims were as young as one-and-a-half years old. The captives were given meager rations of rice and palm oil, but eventually only plain rice due to the scarcity of salt. The water they were given was dirty, forcing them to drink it without opening their eyes. The abductors claimed they were being held to pressure the government to release detained members of their group.

Two teachers, Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun, were beheaded after accusing the government of not taking their demands seriously. The victims were left struggling for basic necessities during negotiations, but the ordeal finally ended when security forces rescued them after a gun battle.