Abducted Oyo School Principal Denies Reports of Ransom, Sharia Demands in New Video Appeal
A newly surfaced video reportedly recorded by terrorists holding abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State has sparked fresh debate over the conditions being demanded for their release.
In the video, the school principal, Mrs. Alamu, appealed to Nigerians and authorities to disregard what she described as inaccurate reports about the kidnappers’ demands, insisting that some of the information circulating in the media is making their situation more difficult.
“Please Don’t Complicate Our Situation”
Speaking from captivity, Mrs. Alamu said the victims had spent 24 days in the kidnappers’ custody and expressed concern over reports claiming the abductors were demanding ransom, weapons, and the implementation of Sharia law.
“Please, I want to make some clarifications. Today makes it 24 days that we have been here, and it seems some people are making our situation more complicated,” she said.
According to her, the captives were shown newspaper reports alleging that the kidnappers had demanded a huge ransom and the introduction of Sharia law in Nigeria.
“We saw reports claiming these people requested billions of naira and the implementation of Sharia law. Those reports are not true. They are only creating more problems for us,” she stated.
“They Have Not Asked for Sharia or Money”
Mrs. Alamu further claimed that neither she nor the other captives had been pressured to adopt Islamic practices during their time in captivity.
“Since we arrived here, nobody has forced us to worship in an Islamic way. They have not troubled us about religion. They are not asking for Sharia law, and they are not asking for money,” she said.
According to the principal, the abductors have repeatedly maintained only one demand.
Release of Detained Members
She explained that the kidnappers are seeking the release of some of their detained associates and urged authorities to focus on negotiations that could secure the freedom of the captives.
“The only thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people. The government should negotiate with them and determine those they want released,” she said.
Mrs. Alamu also appealed to Nigerians to help circulate the message widely.
“I don’t know why politics is being played with our lives. Nigerians, please help us spread this information. Let it go viral.”
Conflicting Accounts Continue
The latest video comes amid conflicting reports surrounding the abduction. Earlier reports had claimed the kidnappers demanded ransom payments, vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia law before releasing the victims.
The principal’s statement, however, presents a different account, raising fresh questions about the true nature of the abductors’ demands as efforts to secure the release of the teachers and pupils continue.
