The principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Alamu Folawe, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to negotiate with kidnappers holding her and other victims captive, warning against the use of force in rescue operations.
Mrs. Folawe made the appeal in a video message released on Friday while still in captivity, nearly two weeks after she and several others were abducted during attacks on schools in the area.
In the emotional video, the visibly distressed principal said the victims, including schoolchildren, had endured harsh conditions in the bush for 13 days.
“We are in the cold, we are under the sun, we are under the rain, the children and the adults as well. Please, we are begging you, don’t let them waste our lives,” she pleaded.
The principal also called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Christian Association of Nigeria to intervene, stressing that previous forceful rescue attempts had worsened their situation.
“The force that they used yesterday has cost us so much. It has added to our problems. In fact, someone among us has been picked and they are going to kill him because government tried to help us by force,” she said.
Appealing directly to authorities, Mrs. Folawe urged the government to adopt dialogue as a means of securing their freedom.
“We don’t need force, all they have to do is to negotiate with them and release us. Please, just negotiate with them and dialogue with them,” she added.
The appeal comes about two weeks after armed men reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, abducting seven teachers and 39 students.
The affected schools include Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yamota, and L.A. Primary School, Alawusa.
The incident turned deadly after a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the attackers, while a motorcyclist and a security operative also lost their lives during rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde has assured residents that efforts are ongoing to secure the safe return of the victims, while security agencies say intensified operations are underway to rescue those still in captivity.
