Abducted Oyo principal pleads with government, Nigerians not to politicise kidnap ordeal

A principal abducted from a school in Oyo State has released a video appeal, begging the government and Nigerians not to allow politics to worsen the plight of the victims.

Mrs Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area, was among over 40 pupils and teachers kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on three schools in the area.

Speaking from the kidnappers’ hideout on Monday, 24 days after her abduction, Alamu refuted reports that her captors had demanded Sharia law, a N1 billion ransom, or weapons. She stated that such claims were false and only served to complicate their situation.

“We have been here since, and we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. They are not asking for Sharia law; they are not asking for money. The single thing they are looking for is the release of some of their people,” she said in the viral video.

The principal appealed to the public to help circulate her message, urging the government to negotiate with the kidnappers rather than use force. She expressed fear that misinformation was putting their lives at greater risk and begged Nigerians not to allow the authorities to deceive the world.

“Don’t play politics with our lives. The government should negotiate with them and know what they will release for them,” she added.