‘Negotiate, Don’t Let Them Waste Us’: Abducted Oyo Principal Begs Tinubu, Makinde

IBADAN, OYO STATE – Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has made a desperate appeal from captivity to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, pleading with them to abandon the use of force and instead negotiate with the kidnappers holding her and dozens of others hostage . In two separate videos posted on Instagram on Friday, a visibly traumatized Alamu said she and other victims, including young children, have spent 13 days in the bush since gunmen attacked three schools in the area on May 15, 2026 . She described their harrowing conditions, saying they have been exposed to harsh weather with no shelter. “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 specifically warned that a failed rescue attempt by security operatives has worsened their situation and directly endangered one of the captives. According to her, the kidnappers have selected one person for execution as a direct consequence of the government’s use of force. “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 revealed in the video . “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 principal also made a direct appeal to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) to intervene and help facilitate negotiations .

Abducted Oyo School Principal Rachael Alamu

In another emotional video, Alamu spoke in Yoruba, begging for mercy and urgent intervention. “Please, help us. We beg you in the name of God, please have mercy on us. This is too much. In the sun and in the rain. Both old and young, we are in the same place,” she cried . “Today marks the 13th day since we were kidnapped. We don’t want you to fight them at all. Whatever they ask for, please, give to them” . She further stated, “Today is the 27th of May, 2026. It has been about 13 days since we were picked from work, and till now we are still in the bush” . The visibly exhausted principal warned that the kidnappers were becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated, raising fears that more lives could be lost if negotiations are not urgently initiated.

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One of the abducted teachers, Mary Akanbi, who is nursing a baby, also appeared in the video pleading for help. Clutching her young child, Akanbi begged Governor Makinde to negotiate with the abductors for their release. “We are pleading with Governor Seyi Makinde, please help us, negotiate with these people. Whatever they want, please give to them. We are all here; we the teachers and the students,” she said . It was earlier reported that a two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, is among the 46 persons kidnapped by the terrorists .

The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen on motorcycles attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota areas of Oriire Local Government Area: Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School, Alawusa . According to community leaders, a total of 46 persons – seven teachers and 39 students – were abducted . The Oyo State Police Command later gave conflicting figures, stating that seven students, 18 pupils, and seven teachers remained missing . During the attack, an assistant headmaster was killed, and a commercial motorcyclist was also shot dead . A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded in captivity. A disturbing video that surfaced on Monday allegedly showed how the bandits tied Oyedokun to a tree before killing him .

Governor Makinde, while speaking to journalists shortly after the incident, confirmed that his administration was ready to listen to the abductors and would not surrender to terror in the state . “Whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen to them and address the ones that we can address as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released,” Makinde said . The governor also disclosed that about six suspects had been arrested in connection with the abduction, believed to be informants and logistics suppliers working with the kidnappers . He added that security operatives had encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the abductors during rescue attempts, which led to the deaths of some tactical team members, Amotekun Corps operatives, and local vigilantes .

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, visited the affected communities and ordered intensified search-and-rescue operations, deploying additional detectives from the Force Headquarters to collaborate with the joint security team on the ground . The Defence Headquarters confirmed that troops had made contact with the abductors and were continuing search and pursuit operations with full determination . In a message marking the dual celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and National Children’s Day on May 27, Governor Makinde expressed solidarity with the families of the victims. “As we mark this year’s Eid and Children’s Day, our thoughts are with every family awaiting the return of their loved ones, and with security agencies working to keep our communities safe,” he wrote on his official X handle .

Meanwhile, teachers and civil society groups in Oyo State staged a peaceful protest demanding decisive and immediate action to secure the release of their colleagues and the schoolchildren. The National President of the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC), Reverend Bunmi Thomas, expressed deep concern over the condition of the victims, particularly the children. “We have children as young as two and three years old in the bush. They are exposed to rain and harsh weather conditions. These victims are in danger, and nobody knows who could be next,” he lamented . As of the time of this report, the abductors have reportedly opened communication channels with the state government, though it remains unclear whether negotiations have officially begun.

‘Negotiate, Don’t Let Them Waste Us’: Abducted Oyo Principal Begs Tinubu, Makinde