By Abigail David
The abducted principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, Alamu Folawe, has appealed to Bola Tinubu and Seyi Makinde to negotiate with her captors rather than use force to secure the release of victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
In a video shared online on Friday, the visibly distressed principal said she and other abductees, including children, had spent 13 days in the bush under harsh weather conditions since the attack.
According to her, the victims had been exposed to rain, cold and intense heat while in captivity, as she pleaded with authorities not to allow the kidnappers harm them.
Folawe also appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Christian Association of Nigeria to intervene, warning that attempts to rescue them through force had worsened their situation.
She claimed that a recent security operation angered the abductors and allegedly placed the life of one of the captives at greater risk.
The appeal comes nearly two weeks after gunmen attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yamota, and L.A. Primary School, Alawusa, abducting seven teachers and 39 pupils on May 15.
During the attack, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was killed, while a motorcyclist and a security operative also lost their lives during rescue attempts.
Sources said the abductors later opened communication channels with the Oyo State Government and insisted they would negotiate only with the governor rather than the victims’ families.
Governor Makinde had earlier assured residents that his administration was working round the clock to secure the release of the abducted victims.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, announced the deployment of additional detectives from Abuja to support ongoing rescue operations, while the Defence Headquarters said troops had established contact with the abductors.
