The abducted Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Folawe Alamu, has made a passionate appeal from captivity, urging Nigerians and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure the freedom of her and other abducted victims.
In a viral video released after spending 25 days in captivity, Alamu appealed to the public not to politicise their ordeal, warning that misinformation surrounding the kidnappers’ demands could complicate efforts to secure their release.
The school principal dismissed reports alleging that the abductors were demanding a N1 billion ransom, weapons, or the imposition of Sharia law in Nigeria. According to her, the captors have repeatedly stated that their primary demand is the release of some individuals being held by authorities.
Alamu also rejected claims that the victims had been forced to adopt Islamic religious practices while in captivity, insisting that such reports were false and risked creating additional obstacles to negotiations aimed at securing their freedom.
The principal was among dozens of pupils and teachers abducted during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oyo State on May 15. The incident, which left communities traumatised, has heightened concerns over the growing spread of mass kidnappings into Nigeria’s South-West region. One teacher was reportedly killed in captivity, while families and labour unions have continued to demand urgent action from authorities.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have warned that worsening insecurity across the country could force organised labour to consider nationwide action if decisive measures are not taken to protect lives and communities.
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
