Eshioromeh Sebastian
More than two weeks after gunmen stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, the kidnappers holding dozens of pupils and teachers captive have refused to negotiate with families, insisting on dealing directly with the government.
The new development was revealed yesterday by the husband of the abducted school principal.
Professor Wole Alamu, whose wife, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, is the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, told Spear News that the family has been left helpless as the captors communicate only through WhatsApp messages while rejecting all forms of direct family engagement.
“The captors said they don’t want to talk to us. They only want to talk to the government, and that is why we are helpless. Anytime they want to communicate, they send messages to me through WhatsApp,” Professor Alamu said .
Mrs. Alamu was abducted on May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack on three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA. Armed men on motorcycles stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School simultaneously, taking pupils and teachers captive .
The Attack and Its Aftermath
The assault, which began around 8 a.m., left a trail of devastation. A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded during the attack. A motorcyclist was also killed, and a security operative died after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during early rescue attempts .
Among the abducted is a two-year-old pupil of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Christianah Akanbi .
Recounting the morning of the attack, a teacher at Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Elizabeth Olagoke, said: “The attackers came around 8 a.m. We had all started the morning session. They came on six motorcycles, and there were two passengers on each bike” .
Professor Alamu described receiving the news of his wife’s abduction shortly after they both left for work that morning.
“Each time I go to Iseyin, my wife goes to Esele as principal of the school. That morning, after we both left home, I received a call around 9:20 a.m. informing me that she had been kidnapped,” he said.
“I rushed back and discovered that some teachers had been killed while many students and teachers were abducted. The Toyota Corolla she used for transportation was also burnt” .
He added that the family has not spoken directly with his wife since her abduction. “Since May 15, we have not heard from her apart from the videos she was forced to produce by the captors,” he stated .
Principal’s Plea from Captivity
On May 29, a video emerged showing a distressed Mrs. Alamu pleading with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to pursue dialogue rather than force.
“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 said in the video .
She specifically warned against military intervention: “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” .
“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 .
Federal Government Response
Following mounting public outcry, President Bola Tinubu has taken several significant steps to address the crisis.
On May 31, a high-powered Federal Government delegation visited the affected communities. The team was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications Sunday Dare .
During the visit, Gbajabiamila conveyed the President’s deep concern. “Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective,” Gbajabiamila told residents .
President Tinubu has approved the following measures :
- Recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State, in collaboration with the state government, to strengthen security in forested areas where kidnappers have established hideouts
- Deployment of a specialized security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free the abducted victims
- Consideration of a military base in the area, following a request from community leaders. The request has been transmitted to the President for approval
Addressing appeals from parents urging caution in rescue efforts, Gbajabiamila assured: “Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims” .
The delegation also visited the Soun of Ogbomosoland, HRM Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, at his palace to commiserate with the traditional ruler and his people. They also met with the widow of slain teacher Michael Oyedokun, Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, and her two children. Gbajabiamila delivered the President’s personal condolences and promised the family would not be left to suffer .
State Government Efforts
Governor Seyi Makinde has also been actively engaged. On May 30, he visited the affected communities and met with families of the abducted victims . Speaking at L.A. Basic School in Ahoro-Esiele, he assured residents that the government shared their pain.
“Please believe in me. I have not been sleeping well myself. Together with the service commanders, we meet twice every day, once in the morning and once at night, sometimes until 10 or 11 p.m.,” the governor said .
Makinde also cautioned against protests, warning that such actions could embolden the kidnappers. “This is not the time for protests. Terrorists and bandits do not think like normal people. If they did, they would not be carrying out such acts. Protests at this moment may only fuel their ego,” he said while speaking at a church service in Ibadan .
Nigeria Union of Teachers Declares Strike
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning June 1, until the abducted teachers and students regain freedom .
In a statement signed by NUT National President Dr. Clinton Ikpitibo and Secretary General Audu Titus Amba, the union expressed sorrow over the “horrifying, inhumane and nightmarish” conditions faced by the abducted victims .
The union has also ordered all state wings nationwide to stage solidarity rallies on June 2, demanding the unconditional release of the abducted victims. The protests are expected to terminate at various government houses across the federation.
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