[VIDEO] Kidnappers want detained gang members freed, not N1bn or Sharia law — Abducted Oyo principal
The abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Rachael Alamu, has dismissed reports claiming that the kidnappers holding schoolchildren and teachers are demanding N1 billion or the implementation of Sharia law.
In a new video released on Monday, Alamu said the abductors’ only demand is the release of some of their members currently in custody.
She described reports linking the kidnappers to demands for money or Sharia law as false, warning that such claims were making the situation more difficult for those being held captive.
According to her, the victims have not been forced to practice Islam or worship in any particular manner since their abduction.
“I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place, and it seems that some people are already making our problem more complicated,” she said.
“We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people who abducted us requested the release of some people, they requested one billion naira, 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. The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people.
“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, money, and weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people.”
The principal and other victims were abducted on May 15 when suspected bandits attacked three schools in Oriire LGA, taking away about 39 students and seven teachers.
The incident triggered widespread outrage, leading to nationwide protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and other stakeholders.
On June 3, the Oyo State House of Assembly rejected suggestions that the state government should negotiate with the kidnappers for the release of the victims.
During plenary, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin argued that negotiating with kidnappers could encourage future attacks and strengthen criminal networks.
“If it were up to you, would you negotiate with terrorists? If they asked for weapons, money, or concessions of future laws of this land as part of their ransom, if you were the governor, would you accept that? Would you accept those people to be integrated into that community?” he said.
“We don’t know the details. So, please, let’s be sensitive and calm. You do not know the details. The more you negotiate with these people, the more you embolden them.”
The speaker’s remarks later sparked the circulation of misinformation across social media platforms regarding the kidnappers’ demands.
Click the link to watch the video.