The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, who was abducted alongside students and other school workers, has appealed to Nigerians not to politicise efforts aimed at securing their release from captivity.
The appeal was contained in a video released by the abductors on Monday in which the principal addressed the public while still in captivity.
In the footage, the principal dismissed reports alleging that the kidnappers were demanding the implementation of Sharia law, the payment of a ransom, or the release of a wealthy individual as conditions for freeing the victims.
According to her, the abductors had repeatedly communicated only one demand, the release of some persons allegedly being held by the government.
“It seems that some people are making the problem more complicated already,” she said.
The principal stated that the victims had been shown newspaper reports claiming the kidnappers were pushing for the adoption of Sharia law and demanding the release of a billionaire, adding that such reports were false.
“We were shown some print media reports stating that these people requested the release of a billionaire and that they wanted Sharia law entrenched in the country. These are not true,” she said.
She further noted that neither she nor the other captives had been compelled to practise Islam or subjected to any form of religious pressure since their abduction.
“We have been here and have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. They have left us alone concerning that.
“They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money. The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people,” she added.
The principal accused unnamed individuals of spreading misinformation and urged Nigerians to focus on efforts that could facilitate the safe return of the victims.
“Please, we are begging you, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, help us circulate this message. They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money, and they are not asking for weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people,” she said.
The latest video is one of several recordings released by the abductors since gunmen attacked schools in the Oriire area and abducted students, teachers and school administrators.
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government and security agencies had yet to officially respond to the claims made in the video.
