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, rejecting reports that her abductors are demanding a N1 billion ransom, weapons or the imposition of Sharia law in Nigeria.
In the video circulated on Monday, the principal said she decided to speak out following what she described as false claims about the kidnappers’ demands, 24 days after her abduction.
She said she and other captives were shown media reports alleging that the abductors were demanding money and the introduction of Sharia law in the country, which she insisted were untrue.
According to her, the kidnappers have not demanded any ransom or religious conditions, contrary to reports in sections of the media. Mrs Alamu said the only demand communicated by the abductors was the release of some individuals in custody.
“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 in the video.
“We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people who abducted us requested the release of some people, they requested a billionaire, and they requested for Sharia to be entrenched in the country. These are not true. They are just trying to create problems for us.”
“We have been here, and since then 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.”
“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 they will release for them.”
“I don’t know why they are playing politics with our lives. Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hands. Help us make this go viral.”
“Don’t let the government deceive the whole world. They are not asking for Sharia. They are not asking for money. They are not asking for weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people. Please, let everybody know about this.”
The principal appealed to Nigerians not to politicise their ordeal and urged members of the public to help spread the information to correct what she described as misleading narratives about the abductors’ demands.
Alamu was abducted alongside teachers, pupils and residents after heavily armed gunmen invaded schools and surrounding communities in the Esiele and Yawota areas of Oriire Local Government Area. Authorities have yet to issue an official response to the claims contained in the video.
