The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has made a passionate appeal from captivity, dismissing reports that her abductors are demanding a ₦1 billion ransom, the enforcement of Sharia law, or the provision of vehicles in exchange for the release of the kidnapped victims.
In a newly released video, Mrs. Alamu, who was abducted alongside students and teachers from the school, said misleading reports about the kidnappers' demands are worsening their already difficult situation.
Speaking emotionally in the footage, the principal revealed that they had spent 24 days in captivity and urged the public and authorities to focus on the actual demands of their captors rather than circulating unverified claims.
“Today makes it the 24th day that we have been here, and it seems some people are making our problem more complicated,” she said.
Mrs. Alamu explained that the abductors had shown them newspaper reports claiming they demanded a ₦1 billion ransom, the implementation of Sharia law across the country, and other conditions. According to her, those reports are completely false.
“We were shown some print media reports stating that these people requested a billion naira and that they wanted Sharia law entrenched in the country. These are not true. They are only creating more problems for us,” she stated.
The school principal further stressed that neither she nor the other captives had been subjected to religious coercion during their time in captivity.
“Since we have been here, we have not been forced to worship in any Islamic way. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law, and they are not asking for money,” she said.
According to Mrs. Alamu, the kidnappers have only one demand: the release of some of their detained members.
“The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people. I don't know why people are playing politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us circulate this message and let it go viral,” she appealed.
She called on the government to engage the abductors through dialogue and negotiations, insisting that discussions remain the safest option for securing the release of the victims.
“All they want is the release of some of their people. The government should negotiate with them and determine those that can be released,” she said.
The latest video has sparked renewed attention to the ongoing abduction crisis in Oyo State, particularly as it contradicts earlier reports alleging that the terrorists had demanded ransom payments, Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia law as conditions for freeing the hostages.
Meanwhile, family members of the abducted principal and other victims have continued to urge authorities to prioritize negotiations over military action, warning that previous rescue attempts in similar situations have sometimes endangered the lives of those held captive.
The victims remain in captivity as efforts to secure their freedom continue.
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