The principal of Community High School, Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Folawe Alamu, has made a desperate appeal to the Federal Government, Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies over her abduction alongside several pupils and staff, pleading for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life.
In a viral video obtained on Sunday, the distraught school administrator begged for immediate rescue, saying she and other victims had remained in captivity since Friday morning when armed men invaded the school community.
Mrs Alamu said the attackers struck at about 9:30 a.m., abducting students and staff members during the coordinated assault on schools in the area.
“I am Mrs Alamu F.R., the principal of Community High School, Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. On Friday, around 9:30 a.m., we were attacked by a certain group of people and a good number of us were abducted,” she said in the video.
“We have been here since Friday. I am making this video to ask for help from everyone, starting from the Federal Government of Nigeria and Oyo State Government, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Christian Association of Nigeria and all well-meaning Nigerians, to come to our aid so that our lives will not be lost,” she added.
The abducted principal also appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other stakeholders to intervene urgently, warning that the situation required swift and peaceful resolution to avoid further tragedy.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, reportedly claimed the life of an assistant headteacher, identified as Adesiyan, as well as a commercial motorcyclist who was killed after resisting attempts by the gunmen to seize his motorcycle.
The incident has triggered renewed concern over rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State, particularly in rural communities and school environments.
Confirming awareness of the viral video, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, said security operatives were already working on the situation.
“We are aware of the video and work is ongoing,” he said.
Earlier, the police had confirmed that suspected gunmen invaded two communities in Oriire LGA, abducting pupils and staff during the coordinated attacks.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government had disclosed that security operatives were tracking the abductors, who were reportedly trapped within the national park axis between northern Oyo and southern Kwara States.
The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the move was aimed at restricting the movement of the suspects and preventing escape across state boundaries.
Security sources also revealed that additional tactical teams had been deployed to intensify search-and-rescue operations in the affected forests.
The Inspector-General of Police has also ordered reinforcement of security operations in the area, describing the attack as “cruel and unacceptable,” while directing operatives to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
FOLLOW US
FOR MORE HERE