The abducted Vice Principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Folawe Alamu, has appealed to the Federal and Oyo State governments to negotiate with her abductors for the release of scores of pupils and teachers kidnapped during an attack on schools in the area.
Alamu made the appeal in a viral video circulated on Thursday, where she appeared visibly distressed and knelt while speaking from what appeared to be the kidnappers’ hideout.
The vice principal said the victims had spent about 13 days in captivity and were enduring harsh weather conditions in the forest.
She appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure their release through dialogue.
According to her, the captives, including children and adults, have been exposed to rain, cold and intense sunshine since their abduction.
Alamu warned that the abductors were becoming increasingly impatient, adding that urgent action was needed to prevent the situation from worsening.
She insisted that negotiation, rather than force, remained the best option for securing the freedom of the victims.
The vice principal also claimed that a recent rescue attempt by security operatives had aggravated their ordeal, alleging that the kidnappers threatened to kill one of the captives following the operation.
She said, “This does not call for force at all. Just negotiate and dialogue with them. We are begging President Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to help us and save our lives.
“The force used has added to our problems. One of us has been singled out for possible execution because the government tried to rescue us by force.”
The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed men riding motorcycles attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Oyo State Police Command subsequently confirmed that an assistant headmaster, identified simply as Adesiyan, was killed during the attack. A commercial motorcyclist was also reportedly shot dead after resisting attempts by the gunmen to seize his motorcycle.
Governor Makinde later disclosed that 25 pupils and seven teachers were abducted during the attacks. He also confirmed the killing of one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, by the assailants.
The governor had earlier stated that the state government was open to negotiations aimed at securing the safe release of the victims, assuring that authorities would consider any demands within their capacity to address.
Makinde described the situation as challenging and said security agencies were continuing rescue operations, while a situation room had been established at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate efforts and provide verified information to the public.
