The husband of Mary Akanbi, one of the teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to the kidnappers to release his wife and their 18-month-old baby.
The man said he was willing to surrender himself to the abductors if they would free his wife and child.
He made the appeal in a viral video from an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, who visited Ogbomoso after the attack.
Gunmen had attacked the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, the Community Grammar School, Esiele, and the L.A. Primary School in Oriire LGA last Friday, abducting pupils and teachers.
The distraught husband said the attack had left the community deserted and without protection.
Akanbi stated, “We, the victims, are the only people remaining in the community, with no security personnel and no protection whatsoever. Most of the security personnel who tried the rescue mission were all wasted.
“I will gladly give myself to them for the sake of my wife and my child. Let them free my wife and my child and just take me instead.
“I am in the exact community where my family was taken. Let them come for me instead. They have taken everything; they have ruined my life.”
In an earlier viral video, the abducted teacher appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to intervene and secure the release of the kidnapped victims.
At least 45 schoolchildren, a principal and several teachers were reportedly abducted during the attacks. Two people were killed, while one of the abducted teachers was later killed in captivity.
Tinubu Condemns Attack
President Tinubu had on Monday condemned the abduction and the reported killing of one of the teachers, describing the incident as barbaric.
He said, “I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community.
“I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.”