UNBELIEVABLE!!! Freed Oyo School Teacher Claims No Gun Battle Nor Military Personnel Killed; Terrorists Released And Escorted Us [VIDEO]
A teacher freed after spending 56 days in captivity following the abduction of pupils and staff from schools in Oyo State has disputed the Federal Government’s account of how the victims regained their freedom from terrorists’ den, saying there was no heavy gun battle at the point of their release.
Zacchaeus Olatunde, one of the teachers kidnapped during the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, said the hostages were released by the terrorists, who escorted them to a location where they met government representatives.
His account differs from the official narrative presented by the Federal Government, which described the victims’ return as the outcome of a coordinated security operation involving the military, police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other intelligence agencies.
According to the Presidency, security forces mounted sustained intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, the neutralisation of several others and the rescue of the victims without the payment of ransom or a prisoner exchange.
However, speaking in a widely circulated interview after his release, Olatunde said there was no intense exchange of gunfire at the point where the captives regained their freedom.
Instead, he said the terrorists released them voluntarily and personally escorted them to a rendezvous point where government officials received them.
The teacher’s account has generated debate on social media, with some Nigerians questioning whether the circumstances surrounding the release were accurately represented in official statements.
Bola Tinubu
The abduction occurred on May 15 when terrorists attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers. One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed while in captivity.
Survivors have since described the difficult conditions they endured during the 56-day ordeal, including frequent movement through forests, intimidation by their captors and severe psychological trauma. Other survivors, including principal Rachael Alamu, have also recounted that male teachers were chained while efforts were made to keep the abducted children quiet throughout their captivity.
Oyo School Principal Abducted and Terrorists
While the release of the victims brought relief after weeks of anxiety and nationwide concern, the differing accounts between the government’s version of events and Olatunde’s testimony have raised fresh questions about how the operation unfolded.
One of the Oyo kidnapping victims has confessed; listen to it.
Tinubu and the APC: “They were rescued after a heavy gun battle with the military”
The victim: “We were released and escorted out by the terrorists to where we met the govt representatives”
Who would you believe?…
— Queen Bee 👑 🐝 (@RealQueenBee__) July 18, 2026
The Federal Government has maintained that sustained pressure from security agencies forced the terrorists to release the captives, while Olatunde’s testimony suggests the handover occurred without the type of armed confrontation previously described by officials.
