‘Dialogue with them, save our lives’, kidnapped Oyo principal begs Tinubu, Makinde

The abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Rachael Alamu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to negotiate with her captors to secure the release of victims still being held in captivity.

Alamu was abducted alongside staff members and students on May 15 after armed men attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota area of Oriire in Ogbomoso.

The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, reportedly kidnapped dozens of pupils, students and teachers from Community High School, L.A. Primary School, Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

During the attack, the gunmen killed an assistant headmaster identified as Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist.

Governor Makinde had earlier confirmed that seven teachers were abducted during the raid, while one of them, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

A video that surfaced days later allegedly showed Oyedokun being beheaded after being tied to a tree, sparking outrage and renewed fears over the safety of the remaining hostages.

In two videos shared on Instagram on Friday, Alamu pleaded with both the federal and state governments not to attempt a forceful rescue operation.

According to her, the kidnappers had threatened to kill another captive following recent security operations aimed at rescuing them.

“Please, I am here again to beg the government, President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, to help us and dialogue with these people. They should not use force,” she said.

“The force they used yesterday has caused us so much pain. It has added to our problem.

“In fact, one of us has been picked, and they said they will kill him because the government tried to help us by force. We want you to call them and dialogue with them so that our lives will be saved.”

In another clip, the principal said the victims had spent nearly two weeks in the bush under harsh weather conditions.

“Today is the 27th of May, 2026. It has been about 13 days since we were picked from work. And till now, we are still in the bush,” she said.

“We are begging you, President Tinubu, Governor Seyi, and all other well-meaning Nigerians to please help us. I am calling on ANCOPSS and NUT to help us talk to them.”

She stressed that peaceful negotiation remained the best option for securing their release.

“You don’t need force. All you have to do is negotiate with them and release us. We are in the cold, under the sun and rain.

“The children and all of us are here. Please, we are begging you. Don’t let them waste our lives. They are getting impatient and frustrated.”

As of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the kidnappers had made fresh demands to the government.

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