More than three weeks after the abduction of over 40 pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, residents of Ogbomoso on Monday staged fresh protests, demanding the immediate release of those still being held captive.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele. Since then, the abductees have remained in captivity, sparking widespread concern and public outcry.
The latest protest saw hundreds of residents block major roads and highways in Ogbomoso, causing traffic disruptions as they called on both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts toward securing the victims’ freedom.
One of the protesters, Kehinde Dahunsi, questioned why the government had not achieved the same level of success recorded in other recent kidnapping cases.
“What will it take for both the government at the centre and the state government to rescue our beloved ones since May 15. This is so pathetic.
“The former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu’s biological sister and her twin children (Peter and Paul), as heard on radio, television stations, and read in the pages of newspapers, were kidnapped early hours on Wednesday, June 3, and were rescued on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Just three days interval.
“But our people have been in captivity for 25 days now. Why shouldn’t governments also apply the same mechanism used to rescue the ex-minister’s sister and her two sons to rescue our family members?” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Rachael Alamu, appeared in a viral video from captivity, where she challenged reports claiming the kidnappers were demanding the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria.
In the emotional appeal, Alamu urged Nigerians to help circulate her message and accused some individuals of complicating the situation through misinformation.
She said:
“Good day, everyone. Please, I have come to make some clarifications.
“Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place. And it seems that some people are making our problems complicated already.
“We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people that abducted us requested the release of some people. They requested a billion naira; they requested that Sharia be enshrined in the country. These are not true. They are just trying to create a problem for us.
“We have been here since, we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. We have been left alone. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law; they are not asking for money.
“The single thing they are looking for is the release of some of their people. I don’t know why they are peddling this rumour to make it complicated for us.
“Please, we are begging you, please, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please, help us to circulate this, let it go viral.
“They are not asking for Sharia law. It’s not true. They are not asking for weapons; they are not asking for money. All they want is the release of some people, and the government should negotiate with them and know those whom they will release for them.
“I don’t know why they are playing politics with our lives. Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hands. Please, help us make it go viral. Don’t let the government deceive the whole world.”
The ongoing abduction has continued to generate national attention, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers previously directing teachers across Oyo State to embark on strike action until the victims are rescued. Protests have also been held in several parts of the country as pressure mounts on authorities to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
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