Nigeria: Abducted Oyo Principal Speaks From Captivity, Begs Nigerians to Secure Their Freedom

IBADAN--AFTER spending 25 days in captivity, the abducted Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, has appeared in a viral video from captivity, begging Nigerians and government authorities to secure their release.

She, however, dismissed reports that their kidnappers are demanding a N1 billion ransom, weapons or the imposition of Sharia law in Nigeria.

The pupils and teachers of the Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School (Esiele), and L.A. Primary School were kidnapped on May 15 during a fatal attack by bandits.

One of the teachers was also killed in captivity by the terrorists.

In the video, which surfaced online, on Monday, the school principal said she was compelled to speak out after learning that what she described as false information about the demands of her abductors was being circulated in sections of the media, 25 days after she was kidnapped.

She also disclosed that she and other captives had been shown media reports alleging that their abductors were demanding a huge ransom payment and the establishment of Sharia law in the country.

Her words: "Please, I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 25th day that we have been in this place and it seems that some people are making our problems complicated already.

"We were shown some print media where it was stated that the people who abducted us requested the release of some people.

"That they requested N1 billion, that they requested that Sharia be entrenched in the country. These are not true. They are just trying to create problems for us.

"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.

"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."

While she urged Nigerians and government officials not to play politics with their lives, Mrs Alamu warned that such may jeopardise efforts aimed at securing the freedom of those being held captive.

She said: "Please, we are just begging you. 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 is not true. They are not asking for weapons. They are not asking for money.

"All they want is the release of some people, and the government will negotiate with them and know those that