… Kidnap Victims Relive 56 Days of Horror, as Nation Honours 28-Year-Old Adamawa-Born Lt. Isaac, Who Gave His Life For Their Freedom
By Jeremy Fregene
The principal of Community High School, Esiele, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, on Monday recounted the horrors of the 56 days she and dozens of pupils and teachers spent in the hands of kidnappers, saying although the victims survived the ordeal, the emotional wounds may take years to heal.
“We have scars already, but we believe with time we will heal,” she said, her voice reflecting the trauma of nearly two months in captivity.
Her emotional testimony came as Nigerians continued to pay tribute to 28-year-old Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac, the Nigerian Army officer from Adamawa State who paid the ultimate price while leading the military operation that secured the freedom of the abducted victims.
Speaking during the formal handover of the rescued pupils and teachers to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army, Alamu described how what began as a normal school day on May 15 descended into terror when heavily armed men stormed schools in Oriire Local Government Area and whisked away teachers and pupils into the forest.
“On May 15, a Friday that started well ended in chaos for us, and for 56 days we were in the bush,” she said.
“It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot.”
She revealed that throughout their captivity, the kidnappers employed psychological torture, repeatedly telling the victims that the government had abandoned them and no longer cared about their fate.
“At one point, they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us,” she recalled.
According to her, the captives survived largely by clinging to hope that help would eventually come.
The most traumatic moments, she said, were the deliberate killings of two fellow captives as the kidnappers sought to pressure the authorities into yielding to their demands.
“Mr Michael was killed on the second day, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June,” Alamu disclosed.
“They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted.”
She said it was only after their rescue that the victims realised the magnitude of national concern over their plight.
“It was until we got out that we discovered the whole world was on our case,” she said.
Alamu thanked President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, the Nigerian Army, other security agencies, and Nigerians whose prayers and support sustained hope during their captivity.
The victims were abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all in Oriire Local Government Area.
While the rescued teachers and pupils began the difficult journey toward recovery, the successful operation came at a heartbreaking cost for one Nigerian family.
Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac, a 28-year-old officer of the Nigerian Army, was killed on 10 July while leading troops during the rescue mission that eventually secured the release of the captives without payment of ransom.
Security sources said the operation, conducted in difficult terrain, was complicated by explosive devices allegedly planted by the abductors, with the young officer making the ultimate sacrifice while helping to secure the victims’ freedom.
His death has drawn tributes across the country, with many describing him as one of the nation’s latest heroes in the fight against insecurity.
For his father, retired Master Warrant Officer Isaac Alabura, the successful rescue brought unbearable grief.
“He was our last hope in the family,” the bereaved father said.
“My son had everything ahead of him. We looked forward to seeing him rise through the ranks and continue serving Nigeria. His life was cut short at a time we expected him to achieve greater things.”
Born on 25 August 1997, Lt. Isaac had only recently completed training at the Nigerian Defence Academy and was preparing for another deployment before he was assigned to the high-risk operation in Oyo State.
Family members described him as disciplined, intelligent, and deeply committed to serving Nigeria.
His cousin, Tidwawa Nelson Eweh, said the young officer had always dreamed of building a distinguished military career and contributing to national security.
“He wanted to rise through the military ranks and contribute to improving Nigeria’s security. Sadly, that dream has now been cut short,” he said.
Lt. Isaac, who hailed from Kola Ward in Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was buried with full military honours at the 23rd Armoured Brigade Cemetery in Yola, where fellow soldiers, family members, and sympathisers gathered to honour his sacrifice.
His family appealed to the Nigerian military authorities and the Oyo State Government to support his aged parents and siblings, insisting that the young officer’s sacrifice in rescuing innocent schoolchildren and their teachers should never be forgotten.
The rescue operation was coordinated by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, in collaboration with more than 10 security agencies.
Governor Makinde commended the security personnel involved, describing Lt. Isaac and others who lost their lives during the operation as heroes whose courage and selflessness would continue to inspire the nation.
For the rescued pupils and teachers, freedom has come with painful memories that may never completely disappear. For the family of Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, however, the joy of seeing dozens of innocent Nigerians reunited with their loved ones will forever be accompanied by the sorrow of losing the son they called their last hope.