Don’t use force, negotiate with our abductors – Oyo principal begs Tinubu, Makinde

Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire LGA, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, to negotiate with the kidnappers.

Alamu, who was kidnapped alongside teachers and students during a coordinated attack on three schools in the Oriire axis on May 15, made the emotional appeal in two separate videos shared online on Friday.

The gunmen, who reportedly rode on motorcycles, stormed Community High School, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, abducting dozens of pupils and staff members. During the attack, an assistant headmaster identified as Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist were killed, while several others were taken away.

Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that seven teachers were among those abducted, adding that one of the victims, teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

In one of the videos, Alamu pleaded for urgent government intervention through dialogue, insisting that military action had worsened their situation.

“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.

She alleged that one of the captives had been killed following a recent rescue attempt.

“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,” she added.

In a second recording, the principal, speaking from captivity, said the victims had spent about 13 days in the forest since their abduction and were living under harsh 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.

Alamu also appealed to teachers’ unions and professional bodies to intervene in the situation.

“I am calling on ANCOPSS and NUT to help us talk to them. 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. Please, don’t let them waste our lives,” she pleaded.