The abducted principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has dismissed reports that her captors are demanding a N1 billion ransom, the implementation of Sharia law, weapons, or the release of a billionaire.
In a video recorded from captivity and circulated on social media on Monday, Alamu said false reports about the kidnappers' demands were complicating efforts to secure the release of the teachers and students still being held.
According to her, the abductors have only one demand — the release of some of their detained members.
"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.
Alamu stated that reports linking the abductors to demands for Sharia law, money, weapons, or the release of a wealthy individual were untrue.
"We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people requested the release of a billionaire. They requested Sharia to be entrenched in the country. These are not true," she said.
She further explained that neither she nor the other captives had been pressured to adopt Islamic practices during their time in captivity.
"We have been here and we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. We have been left alone. They have not troubled us concerning that," she said.
The principal stressed that the kidnappers were not demanding money or the enforcement of Islamic law.
"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," she added.
Appealing directly to Nigerians, Alamu urged the public to help spread her message and encourage authorities to address the kidnappers' stated demand through dialogue.
"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," she said.
"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. Please, don't play politics with our lives."
The principal also accused some individuals of spreading misinformation that could hinder efforts to secure the release of the victims.
"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," she said.
The victims were abducted when armed men attacked LA Primary School and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esiele Community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attack reportedly claimed the life of a teacher, while Alamu, two vice principals, three other teachers and several students were taken captive.
In an earlier video from captivity, the principal disclosed that the attackers stormed the schools at about 9:30 a.m. and abducted a large number of staff members and students.
Following the incident, the Oyo State Government said security agencies had launched coordinated operations to block escape routes and prevent the suspected kidnappers from moving into neighbouring states through the National Park axis.
More than three weeks after the abduction, the victims remain in captivity, with Alamu continuing to call for intervention to secure their release.
