‘Don’t play politics with our lives’, Abducted Oyo principal debuts N1bn ransom, Sharia claims

By Tolulope Oke

A school principal abducted alongside dozens of pupils and teachers in Oyo State has appeared in a new video, warning that false reports about the demands of their captors could endanger efforts to secure their release.

Mrs Alamu, one of the victims kidnapped during the terrorist attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, said claims that the abductors were demanding N1 billion ransom, weapons, or the implementation of Sharia law were untrue.

Speaking in the video released by the terrorists, the principal said the hostages had now spent 24 days in captivity.

“Hello, everyone. I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 24th day we have been in this place, and it seems that some people are making our case complicated already,” she said.

Mrs Alamu said the abductors had shown the captives copies of reports circulating online, alleging that they were demanding the release of fighters, N1 billion ransom, weapons and the introduction of Sharia law.

She dismissed the claims, saying the misinformation was complicating the situation and could frustrate negotiations for their freedom.

“They are not asking for Sharia law; they are not asking for weapons; they are not asking for money. All they are asking for is the release of some people and negotiation. Don’t play politics with our lives,” she pleaded.

The video has heightened anxiety over the fate of about 45 pupils and teachers abducted when terrorists stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

It has also raised fresh questions about the state of negotiations between the authorities and the abductors, as families of the victims continue to wait in anguish for their safe return