Kidnapping at Oyo school: Abductors prefer negotiations with authorities over relatives, says spouse of principal Alamu

More than two weeks have passed since the abduction of Mrs. Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, and her husband, Professor Wole Alamu, has revealed that the kidnappers are declining to engage in negotiations with the family, instead insisting on direct communication with the government.

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Professor Alamu, a lecturer at the Department of Forest Resources Management at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Iseyin Campus, made this disclosure in an interview, stating that the kidnappers have been using WhatsApp messages to communicate, but have refused to engage with family members in any negotiation.

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The kidnappers' stance is clear, according to Professor Alamu, who quoted them as saying they do not want to talk to the family, but rather wish to communicate solely with the government, leaving the family feeling helpless in the situation.

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Professor Alamu explained that the kidnappers' preferred method of communication is through WhatsApp messages sent directly to him, which has been the only means of contact since the abduction.

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Mrs. Alamu's abduction occurred on May 15 during a deadly attack on the school, which resulted in the killing of some teachers and the kidnapping of students and staff members.

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Recounting the events of that day, Professor Alamu said he received a distress call at around 9:20 a.m., shortly after he and his wife had left for work, informing him that his wife had been taken.

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Upon rushing back to the scene, Professor Alamu discovered that several teachers had been killed, many students and teachers were abducted, and the Toyota Corolla used by his wife for transportation had been burnt.

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Since the incident, the family has had no direct contact with Mrs. Alamu, apart from videos that were allegedly recorded under duress by the kidnappers.

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Professor Alamu expressed his gratitude to the Oyo State Government for their support during this difficult time, stating that the Executive Governor of Oyo State has stood by them and not abandoned the family.

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The phone numbers used by the kidnappers to send WhatsApp messages have been forwarded to security agencies for investigation, with Professor Alamu believing that the DSS are working on the case.

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Professor Alamu expressed his confusion over why his wife, a dedicated educationist, was targeted, stating that she had not offended anyone and was only committed to developing the community.

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According to Professor Alamu, his wife had been travelling approximately 62 kilometres daily to the school since her deployment in August 2024, a commitment he fully supported despite the challenges and costs involved.