The husband of Mary Akanbi, one of the teachers kidnapped last Friday from schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo State, has begged the abductors to release his wife and their 18-month-old baby while taking him in their place.
The emotional appeal was made in a viral video excerpt from an interview with Chude Jideonwo after the media personality visited Ogbomoso following the abduction of teachers and pupils from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Oriire LGA.
During the attack, two people were killed, while at least 45 schoolchildren, along with a principal and several teachers, were reportedly taken away. One of the abducted teachers was later killed in captivity.
The distraught husband said the community had been left vulnerable, with no security presence to protect residents or respond effectively during the incident.
“We the victims, are the only people remaining in the community, with no security personnel and no protection whatsoever. Most of the security personnel who tried the rescue mission were all wasted,” the man said.
“I will gladly give myself to them for the sake of my wife and my child. Let them free my wife and my child and just take me instead.
“I am in the exact community where my family was taken. Let them come for me instead. They have taken everything; they have ruined my life.”
In another video, one of the abducted teachers had also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently intervene and secure their release.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the attack and the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers, describing it as “barbaric” and confirming that a rescue operation was ongoing.
“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community,” the president said.
“I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.”