Fresh details have emerged over the abduction of Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, after a disturbing video surfaced online showing her pleading for help from captivity.
The viral video has generated widespread concern across Nigeria.
It showed the visibly distressed principal appealing to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure the release of herself, teachers and students reportedly abducted by gunmen.
“I am making this video to ask for help from everyone starting from the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Oyo State government under Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Christian Association of Nigeria and all well-meaning Nigerians that they should come to our help and settle these people peacefully so that our lives will not be lost,” the principal said in the video.
According to reports, the attack occurred on Friday morning when heavily armed gunmen riding motorcycles invaded schools within the Ahoro-Esiele axis of Oriire Local Government Area.
Sources said the attackers stormed multiple schools simultaneously, including Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, abducting pupils, students and members of staff.
Residents said the attackers fired gunshots sporadically during the operation, creating panic across the affected communities as parents and residents fled for safety.
Police authorities later confirmed that Alamu was among those kidnapped during the attack.
Reports further indicated that the gunmen seized the principal’s Toyota Corolla vehicle before allegedly setting it ablaze along a forest route after the abduction.
The incident reportedly turned deadly after two persons lost their lives during the attack.
The victims were identified as an assistant headmaster, Mr. Adesiyan Joel, and a commercial motorcycle rider who was allegedly killed while resisting attempts by the gunmen to seize his motorcycle.
Although authorities are yet to officially confirm the total number of abducted persons, community sources and local reports claimed that dozens of victims, including schoolchildren and teachers, may still be in captivity.
Some reports estimated that between 45 and 48 pupils and staff members were abducted during the coordinated attack on the schools.
The incident has sparked outrage and fear among residents, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the growing wave of school-related kidnappings and insecurity in different parts of the country.
Following the attack, the Oyo State Government reportedly ordered the temporary closure of schools in neighbouring communities, including Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire and Olorunsogo local government areas, as security agencies intensified rescue operations.
The Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, described the attack as a painful development for the education sector and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the abducted victims.
Security agencies have since launched coordinated operations across forests and surrounding communities in search of the kidnappers and their captives.
Reports also indicated that some suspects linked to the attack had already been arrested as investigations continue.
The abduction has once again renewed concerns over rising insecurity and increasing attacks on schools in Nigeria, particularly the spread of kidnapping activities beyond northern states into parts of the South-West.
Many parents and residents are now calling for stronger security measures around schools and rural communities to prevent future attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, the abducted principal, teachers and students were yet to regain freedom.
