Abducted School Principal Rejects Shariah, ₦1bn Ransom Claims, Appeals for Negotiation

The abd¥cted Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has refuted reports claiming that the gunmen holding her and 31 others captive were demanding the entrenchment of Shariah law or a ₦1 billion ransom, describing the claims as false and potentially dangerous to efforts to secure their release.

In a recent clip circulating on social media, the visibly distressed school principal appealed to the Federal Government and Nigerians to disregard what she described as rumours capable of complicating the situation.

“Please, it seems that some people are making the problems complicated already. We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people who abducted us requested the release of some people, one billion naira, and that Shariah be entrenched in the country. These are not true. They are just trying to create problems for us,” she said.

Mrs. Alamu stressed that the abductors had neither demanded money nor compelled any of the captives to practise Islam, saying they had been left undisturbed in that regard.

She said the sole demand of their captors was the release of some of their members, and urged the government to engage in negotiations without delay.

“They are not asking for Shariah law, they’re not asking for money, nor are they asking for ₦1 billion. The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people.

Please, help us beg the government to negotiate with them. I don’t know why they are peddling this rumour to make it complicated for us,” she said.

She appealed to Nigerians to amplify her message and urged authorities not to allow political considerations to endanger lives. “Please, we are just begging you, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us to circulate this, let it go viral,” she pleaded.

The latest clip came amid widespread reports over the past week alleging that the abductors had demanded the implementation of Shariah law as a condition for freeing the victims.

Mrs. Alamu and 31 others, including students and staff members, were k¡dnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m. when armed men att@cked multiple schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The victims were taken from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.

In an earlier clip from captivity, Mrs. Alamu had appealed to the Federal Government, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure their release. Her husband, Professor Wole Alamu, subsequently confirmed her identity.

Another teacher, Temitope, also appeared in one of the clips carrying a baby, while a separate teacher among the abd¥cted, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed days after the k¡dnapping.