A survivor of the May 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State has recounted the harsh conditions the victims endured during their 56 days in captivity.
The witness, identified as “AAA” to protect her identity, gave the account while testifying before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
She told the court that the captives were moved through six different locations in the bush, where they were forced to sleep on grass and endure exposure to heavy rain and intense sunlight. Some of the victims were children as young as one-and-a-half years old.
According to the witness, the victims faced severe shortages of food and drinking water throughout their captivity. At one point, about four people had to share a single cup of water.
She said the abductors initially fed them rice mixed with salt and palm oil. However, after the salt ran out, the victims ate rice with palm oil until that supply was also exhausted, leaving them with only plain white rice.
The witness said the children were particularly vulnerable, alleging that some were beaten when they struggled for food. She added that meals were served in a dirty rubber container.
Victims drank dirty water
Describing the conditions in the bush, the survivor said the victims were unable to bathe or wash their clothes throughout the 56-day ordeal.
She said the water provided by their captors was extremely dirty, forcing the victims to close their eyes before drinking it.
According to her, the captives drank the contaminated water simply because they had no other option.
The witness also told the court that the abductors seized their phones and used them to contact relatives and government officials while negotiations over the captives continued.
She said the ordeal came to an end at the sixth camp when security forces engaged the abductors in a gun battle and rescued the victims.
Two teachers allegedly killed
The witness further alleged that two teachers, Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun, were killed during the period of captivity.
She said the kidnappers claimed the government had failed to take their demands seriously and wanted detained members of their group released.
The testimony forms part of the prosecution of five men accused of terrorism, kidnapping, conspiracy and other offences linked to the abduction.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants were members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, also known as Ansaru, and that they were involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The five defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that they remain in Department of State Services custody throughout the trial.
The defence is expected to cross-examine the witness on September 18, 2026.
