Abducted Oyo school principal, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, has denied reports claiming their captors demanded N1 billion ransom and the introduction of Sharia law in exchange for their freedom.
Alamu spoke from captivity in a new video released on Monday by the gunmen who abducted 46 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.
The Community High School, Esiele principal also appealed to Nigerians and the government to secure their release.
In the video, Alamu said she decided to speak after seeing what she described as false reports about the kidnappers’ demands, 25 days after the abduction.
She said, “Please, I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 25th 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 the people who abducted us requested the release of some people.
“That they requested N1 billion, that they requested that Sharia be entrenched in the country. These are not true. They are just trying to create problems for us.
“We have been here, and 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 asking 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.”
She urged authorities and Nigerians not to politicise their situation.
“Please, we are just begging you. 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 is not true. They are not asking for weapons. They are not asking for money.”
Alamu also appealed to Nigerians to pressure the government to secure their release, adding: “Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hands. Help us make this go viral. Don’t let the government deceive the whole world.”
