Kidnappers seek release of members, not N1bn ransom or sharia law, says abducted Oyo principal

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The abducted Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, has refuted reports that her captors are demanding a N1 billion ransom, weapons, or the imposition of Sharia law in Nigeria.

Mrs Alamu made the clarification in a video released from captivity and circulated online on Monday, 24 days after she was kidnapped.

In the video, the school principal said she was compelled to speak after learning that reports circulating in some sections of the media allegedly misrepresented the demands of the kidnappers.

“Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place and it seems that some people are making our problems complicated already,” she said.

According to her, the abductors had shown the captives media reports claiming they were demanding a huge ransom, weapons and the adoption of Sharia law across the country.

Refuting the claims, Mrs Alamu said the kidnappers had neither requested money nor sought any religious concessions from the government.

“We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people that abducted us requested for a billion naira and Sharia to be entrenched in the country. These are not true. They are just trying to create problems for us,” she said.

The principal further stated that neither she nor the other captives had been subjected to any form of religious coercion since their abduction.

“We have been here and we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. We have been left alone. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law. They are not asking for money,” she added.

Mrs Alamu maintained that the only demand communicated by the kidnappers was the release of some individuals currently in custody.

“The single thing they are asking 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,” she said.

She appealed to Nigerians and government authorities not to politicise the situation, warning that misinformation could undermine efforts to secure the release of those being held captive.

“Please, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us to circulate this. Let it go viral,” she pleaded.

The principal urged the government to engage directly with the abductors on the issue they had raised, insisting that no demands for ransom, weapons or the implementation of Sharia law had been made.

“All they want is the release of some people, and the government will negotiate with them and know those that they will release for them. I don’t know why they are playing politics with our lives,” she said.

Mrs Alamu’s video has since attracted widespread attention, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the prolonged captivity of the school principal and other victims, as well as renewed calls for urgent action to secure their freedom.