The abducted Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Folawe Alamu, has denied reports that the gunmen holding her, schoolchildren and other teachers in captivity are demanding ₦1 billion ransom, weapons or the implementation of Sharia law as conditions for their release.
In a new video released from captivity on Monday, Alamu said the claims being circulated in the media and on social media were false and had made the situation more complicated for the victims.
She said the only demand made by the abductors was the release of some of their members who are currently in custody.
According to her, Monday marked the 24th day since they were abducted, adding that some reports on the kidnappers’ demands were creating further danger for those still in captivity.
“Good day, everyone. Please, I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place. And it seems that some people are making our problems more complicated already,” she said.
“We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people who abducted us requested the release of some people. They requested ₦1 billion; they requested that Sharia law be enshrined in the country.
“These are not true. They are just trying to create problems for us.”
Alamu also said the captives had not been forced to practise Islam or worship in any particular way since their abduction.
“We have been here since, and we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. We have been left alone. They have not troubled us concerning that,” she said.
She appealed to Nigerians to help circulate the video and urged the government not to politicise their lives.
“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. I don’t know why they are peddling this rumour to make it complicated for us.
“Please, we are begging you, please, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us to circulate this, let it go viral. They are not asking for Sharia law. It’s not true. They are not asking for weapons; they are not asking for money. All they want is the release of some people,” she added.
The principal further appealed to the authorities to engage the abductors and verify their demand.
“And the government should negotiate with them and know what they will release for them. I don’t know why they are playing politics with our lives. Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hands. Please, help us make it go viral.
“Don’t let the government deceive the whole world. They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money, they are not asking for weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people. Please, let everybody know about it,” she said.
The victims were abducted on Friday, May 15, 2026, when suspected bandits attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.
About 39 students and seven teachers were reportedly taken away during the coordinated attack, which occurred around 9:30 a.m.
The incident triggered widespread outrage and protests by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other stakeholders, who demanded urgent action for the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
On June 3, the Oyo State House of Assembly rejected calls for the state government to negotiate with the kidnappers.
During plenary, the Speaker of the Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, warned that negotiating with kidnappers could embolden criminal groups and encourage further attacks.
“If it were up to you, would you negotiate with terrorists? If they asked for weapons, money, or concessions of future laws of this land as part of their ransom, if you were the governor, would you accept that? Would you accept those people to be integrated into that community?” Ogundoyin asked.
“We don’t know the details. So, please, let’s be sensitive and calm. You do not know the details. The more you negotiate with these people, the more you embolden them.”
Following the speaker’s comments, reports circulated online claiming that the abductors were demanding money, weapons and the implementation of Sharia law.
Alamu’s latest video appeared to directly respond to those reports, as she insisted that such claims were untrue and were worsening the plight of the captives.
Authorities have yet to issue an official response to the claims contained in the video.
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