Olushola Omogbehin
About two weeks after gunmen invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted school principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to negotiate with her captors, saying that lives remain in danger.
The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, was kidnapped with some teachers and pupils during the attack of May 15 on schools in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso.
In the emotional videos shared on Friday, she appealed to authorities not to engage in forceful rescue efforts, because previous attempts had worsened the conditions of the captives.
“Please, I am begging 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 pain. One of us has been singled out, and they said they will kill him because the government tried to rescue us by force.”
The attack was carried out by gunmen on Community High School, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The incident which confirmed that several teachers and students were abducted, drew national outrage after a video allegedly showed abductors beheading teacher Michael Oyedokun in captivity.
According to Alamu, the victims had spent nearly two weeks trapped in the bush, exposed to harsh weather and growing fear.
“Today makes about 13 days since we were taken from work and we are still in the bush,” she said.
“The children and all of us are here under the sun, rain and cold. Please help us. Negotiate with them. Don’t let them waste our lives.”
She therefore urged President Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools and the Nigeria Union of Teachers to intervene, because the kidnappers were becoming increasingly impatient.
