‘Terrorists Released Us’ – Atiku’s Aide Reacts As Oyo Teacher Contradicts FG’s Rescue Narrative

The Media Adviser to the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has backed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent United Nations investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Naijapunchnews reports that Ibe’s position followed comments made by one of the rescued victims, school counsellor Olatunde Olutuye Zaccheaus, whose account appeared to differ from the Federal Government’s earlier description of how the captives regained their freedom.

Speaking during an emotional telephone interview on Nigeria Info’s Morning Crossfire programme on Friday alongside his wife, Zaccheaus claimed that the kidnappers released the victims before they later encountered security personnel who escorted them home.

According to him, the victims remained blindfolded throughout their 56 days in captivity and had no knowledge of where they were being held.

Recalling the circumstances surrounding their release, Zaccheaus said:

“When they released us, everybody had gone. They said I could not carry the handcuff home because the key had broken. One of them suggested they should cut off my hand, but another said no. They later used a small rope to remove the handcuff.”

Ibe Questions Federal Government’s Account

Reacting in a post on his X handle, Ibe argued that the teacher’s testimony contradicted the Federal Government’s earlier statement, which announced that the victims had been rescued by security forces.

He noted that on July 10, the Presidency, through a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, announced that the 44 abducted pupils and teachers had been rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.

Questioning the differing accounts, Ibe wrote:

“On the 10th of July, the Presidency in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga announced the rescue (and not release) of the 44 Oriire school children and teachers by our security forces after 56 days in captivity.

“But speaking on Info FM one of the freed teachers, Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus claims that they were indeed released by the terrorists. Teacher Olatunde Zacchaeus’s claims is in stark contradiction to what the Tinubu-led APC administration told the nation.”

He further questioned whether the teacher misunderstood the distinction between being “released” and being “rescued” or whether there were other explanations for the conflicting narratives.

Calls for Independent Investigation

Ibe also argued that Zaccheaus’ account had revived public concerns over allegations of ransom payments to kidnappers and conspiracy theories surrounding some abduction cases.

“This revelation on live radio brings to the fore the issue of state-sponsored payment of ransom to terrorists and bandits, and conspiracy theories that some of the so-called abductions are state-sponsored.”

He questioned whether the teacher’s account justified Governor Makinde’s earlier call for an independent international investigation into the incident.

Expressing support for the governor’s position, Ibe added:

“Does this revelation now explain why Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State demanded for a United Nations independent investigation of the issue?

“I agree 💯% with Makinde, there’s a compelling need for an independent investigation of an international dimension to establish what happened in Oriire, Oyo State, Mussa village in Askari/Uba Local Government of Borno and in other places where abductions has become the rule and not the exception.”

The Federal Government has consistently maintained that the Oriire victims were rescued through coordinated security operations, while the teacher’s account has raised fresh questions about the exact circumstances surrounding their freedom.