Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, has dismissed reports claiming that the gunmen holding her and other victims captive are demanding N1 billion or the implementation of Sharia law.
In a video released on Monday, Alamu said the abductors’ only demand is the release of some of their members currently in custody, stressing that reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate and could worsen their situation.
According to her, misleading information circulating online is complicating efforts surrounding their captivity.
“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.
Alamu explained that the captors had shown them media reports alleging they were demanding money, weapons and the introduction of Sharia law, claims she insisted were false.
“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,” she said.
The principal further stated that neither she nor the other hostages had been pressured to adopt Islamic practices or worship in any particular way since their abduction.
“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,” she added.
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Appealing to Nigerians, Alamu urged members of the public to share her message widely and help correct what she described as false narratives surrounding the kidnapping.
The 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 outrage across the country, leading to protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and other stakeholders demanding urgent action.
Earlier this month, the Oyo State House of Assembly rejected suggestions that the government should negotiate with the kidnappers. During plenary, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin warned that engaging with criminal groups could encourage future abductions and strengthen their operations.
His remarks later sparked misinformation on social media, including claims that the kidnappers were demanding Sharia law and a large ransom, allegations now publicly denied by one of the victims.