Oyo School Attack: Kidnapped Vice Principal Asks Tinubu and Makinde to Open Negotiations with Kidnappers

The abducted Deputy Principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of ​​Oyo State, Mrs Folawe Alamu, has made an impassioned appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders to urgently negotiate with the kidnappers holding her, pupils and teachers captive.

In a rescue video circulating online on Thursday, the visibly shaken school administrator, seen on his knees and speaking in a weak tone, said the victims had spent about 15 days in the bush since their abduction during coordinated attacks on schools in the Ogbomoso axis of the state.

He said the abductees, including schoolchildren and teachers, were left at the mercy of adverse weather conditions, without shelter from the rain, scorching sun and cold nights.

“Good morning. Today is May 27, 2026. About 13 days ago we were picked up from work and we are still in the bush,” he said in the video.

According to her, the situation has become increasingly dire, warning that the kidnappers are becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated at the delay in intervention.

“We call on President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and all other well-meaning Nigerians to help us. I call on the Nigeria Union of Teachers to help us and talk to them. There is no need for force, all you need to do is negotiate with them and release us,” he implored.

Ms. Alamu stressed that prisoners are suffering badly in the forest, adding that both children and adults are exposed to ongoing environmental hardships.

“We are in the cold, we are in the sun and in the rain, even the children and the adults. We beg you, don’t let them waste our lives,” he added.

In another video released later, the vice-principal renewed her appeal, directly warning the authorities against any further use of force in rescue attempts, arguing that this would aggravate the situation.

It said a previous security operation had worsened the prisoners’ lot and prompted retaliation from the captors.

“Please, I am here again to implore the government, President Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, to help us and talk to these people,” he said.

“They shouldn’t use force. The force they used yesterday caused us so much harm. It made our problems worse. In fact, one of us was singled out and they are threatening to kill him because the government tried to help us with force.”

His appeal has heightened concerns about the safety of the abducted students and teachers, as uncertainty continues over ongoing rescue efforts.

The kidnapping incident occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men on motorcycles stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School and LA Primary School in Esiele, all in Oriire Local Government Area.

During the coordinated attacks, gunmen killed at least one school administrator and a commercial motorcyclist who reportedly resisted attempts to seize his motorcycle. Many others were taken away, including pupils and teachers.

Governor Makinde had earlier confirmed that 25 students and seven teachers had been abducted, while admitting that one of the victims had been killed. Reports also indicate that a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the attackers, adding to public outrage.

The Oyo state government has since said it is ready to engage in negotiations where necessary, while security agencies have stepped up search and rescue operations in forested areas believed to be hideouts of the kidnappers.

President Tinubu, on his part, condemned the attack and charged security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of all abducted victims, assuring federal support to the state in managing the security crisis.

However, almost two weeks after the attack, the victims’ families and school authorities remain in anguish, with growing fears of worsening conditions for those still in captivity.

The latest distress call launched by the deputy principal has further intensified calls for urgent government intervention as pressure mounts on security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers without further loss of life.

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