Abducted vice principal begs Tinubu, Makinde to negotiate with kidnappers

By Adejayan Gbenga

The abducted vice principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Folawe Alamu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde and other Nigerians to negotiate with her abductors to secure the release of kidnapped victims.

Alamu made the appeal in a distress video circulated online on Thursday, about 15 days after armed men attacked schools in the Ogbomoso axis of the state and abducted pupils and teachers.

In the video, the vice principal appeared visibly distressed as she knelt while speaking from an undisclosed location believed to be within a forest where the victims were being held captive.

She said the abducted victims had remained in the bush since the incident and were being exposed to harsh weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and intense heat.

“We are begging President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and every other well-meaning Nigerian to please help us,” she said in the video, pleading for urgent intervention to save the lives of the captives.

Alamu urged authorities to consider negotiations with the abductors, warning that forceful rescue attempts were worsening the situation of those in captivity. She added that the kidnappers were becoming increasingly frustrated and desperate.

“We are in the cold, we are under the sun and inside the rain. Please don’t let them waste our lives,” she said, alleging that a previous rescue effort had led to threats against one of the victims.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government had earlier confirmed that 25 students and seven teachers were abducted during coordinated attacks on schools in the Oriire area on May 15, 2026. Security agencies also confirmed casualties during the attack, including the killing of an assistant headmaster and an okada rider, while Governor Seyi Makinde said the government remained open to negotiations as efforts continued to secure the safe release of the victims.