The husband of a kidnapped secondary school principal in Oyo State broke down in tears on Saturday as he made an emotional appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde during a visit to Oriire Local Government Area, pleading for urgent action to secure the release of his wife and other abducted residents.
The visit brought together families of victims, community members, and local stakeholders who used the opportunity to directly express their fears and frustration over the worsening security situation in parts of the state, particularly within the Ogbomoso axis.
Among those whose cases drew strong emotional reactions was Mrs. Rachael Alamu, also known as Alamu Folawe, the principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele. She was abducted alongside other residents in recent incidents that have left several families in distress and uncertainty.
Standing before the governor, her husband struggled to maintain composure as he described the psychological toll the situation has taken on his family. His voice broke repeatedly as he addressed what he described as the exploitation of his wife’s condition in captivity.
“My wife is the one being used to make the videos that are being circulated. It is very disheartening and depressing,” he said in Yoruba, before breaking down in tears.
The remark referred to disturbing footage reportedly released by the abductors, in which the kidnapped principal appeared under duress. The videos have circulated among residents, further deepening anxiety among families already waiting for news of their loved ones.
He thanked the governor for physically visiting the affected community but urged that the attention given to the matter should not fade with time. According to him, the emotional burden on families is becoming increasingly unbearable as days pass without resolution.
He said relatives of the abducted victims are living in constant fear, unable to predict what the next development might be, while also grappling with the trauma of seeing distress messages allegedly recorded by those in captivity.
“We are not at peace. Every day is pain. Every hour is waiting without knowing what will happen next,” he added during his appeal.
Governor Makinde’s visit to Oriire Local Government Area came amid growing public concern over repeated abductions in rural communities. Residents have in recent weeks raised alarm over what they describe as increasing vulnerability along remote routes and farming settlements.
During the engagement, families called for intensified rescue operations and stronger coordination among security agencies. They also urged the state government to work closely with federal authorities to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons.
The husband of the abducted principal specifically appealed for urgency, stressing that delays would only deepen the trauma experienced by families and could increase risks to the victims in captivity.
His plea followed the circulation of another video allegedly showing Mrs. Alamu speaking under coercion. In that video, she was reported to have appealed to both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Makinde to consider dialogue as a possible route to securing their release. The authenticity of the circumstances surrounding the video could not be independently verified, but it has nonetheless intensified public concern.
Security agencies have reportedly launched efforts to track those responsible for the abductions, although details of ongoing operations have not been made public. Officials have maintained limited disclosure, likely to avoid compromising investigations.
Meanwhile, the abductions have continued to fuel tension in affected communities, where residents now express growing fear over movement, especially in isolated areas. Schools, families, and local institutions have been particularly unsettled by the incident involving a school principal, a role widely regarded as a community leadership position.
Community members present during the governor’s visit echoed the call for swift intervention. Some described the situation as emotionally draining, noting that families are not only dealing with absence but also with repeated exposure to distressing content linked to the victims.
For the husband of Mrs. Alamu, the situation remains deeply personal and unresolved. His public breakdown reflected the weight carried by families who are still waiting for any indication of safe return.
As he left the gathering, his appeal remained consistent: that efforts should not slow down, and that every available measure should be used to bring the abducted principal and others back alive.
