The husband of Mrs Rachael Alamu, the Oyo State school principal who recently regained her freedom after more than 50 days in captivity, has revealed that he blocked the kidnappers’ phone numbers during negotiations after their repeated threats began affecting his health.
Professor Wole Alamu disclosed this during a thanksgiving service following his wife’s release, saying constant communication with the abductors left him emotionally drained and battling high blood pressure.
Mrs Alamu, the principal of Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, was among pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen on May 15, 2026.
The victims regained their freedom after spending more than 50 days in captivity following a rescue operation announced by the Federal Government.
Professor Alamu said he communicated with the kidnappers for about three weeks before deciding to cut off contact because the threats were taking a serious toll on his health.
“When my wife was abducted, I was chatting with the abductors for the first three weeks.
“I was threatened and immediately they threatened me, I was always destabilised.
“There was a day I went for a medical check-up. They sent me a text message and I became destabilised. By the time I got to the clinic, I could not even do the check-up because my blood pressure had already increased.”
He said he eventually blocked the kidnappers’ phone numbers.
“That day I decided I would block these people.
“You cannot kill me here and kill her there. Choose one. If you want to take her, she is going to be with Christ.
“You cannot kill the two of us at the same time.”
According to him, the kidnappers later confronted his wife after discovering they had been blocked.
“They went to her and said, ‘Madam, your husband has blocked us. We are going to kill you.’
“She replied, ‘You will not kill me in Jesus’ name.’”
He also alleged that the kidnappers left a cutlass beside his wife, apparently expecting her to take her own life.
“They left one cutlass beside the Madam Principal.
“When they came back, they were blaming one another, saying, ‘You left a cutlass beside the Madam Principal so she could kill herself.’
“My wife replied immediately, ‘I will not kill myself and you too will not kill me.’ I thank God for that boldness.”
Professor Alamu expressed gratitude to security agencies for their response to the abduction and thanked individuals and organisations within and outside Nigeria who supported the family during the ordeal.
Reflecting on the experience, he urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, saying the kidnapping, though the greatest trial of his life, had strengthened his trust in God.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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