…Says Failed Rescue Attempt Worsened Ordeal of Abducted Pupils, Staff
The principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oyo State, F.O. Alamu, has raised alarm from captivity warning that one of the kidnapped victims wil be killed after a failed rescue operation by security forces.
In a distress video circulating online, the visibly shaken principal pleaded with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to negotiate with the kidnappers instead of using force.
According to her, the rescue attempt worsened the situation for the abducted pupils and staff.
“The force that they used yesterday has cost us so much. It has added to our problem. In fact, one of us has been picked. They are going to kill him because the government tried to help us by force,” Alamu said in one of the videos.
“We want you to call them and dialogue with them so that our lives will be saved.”
The Oyo principal said she and 46 abducted schoolchildren have been forced to stay outdoors under harsh weather conditions since their kidnapping.
She explained that the victims face intense heat during the day and cold weather at night.
NPO Reports recalls that the kidnapped pupils and staff were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Earlier, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) described the attack as an isolated criminal act. The military initially denied the presence of an organised terrorist network in Oyo State.
However, the DHQ later changed its position and confirmed that the kidnappers were linked to the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction of Boko Haram.
According to the military, the terrorists were displaced from other parts of Nigeria due to ongoing military operations.
“The recent incidence of kidnapping in Oyo State was clearly perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over,” the DHQ said.