Residents of Ogbomoso on Monday staged another protest demanding the release of more than 40 pupils, teachers and other victims abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. The demonstrators blocked major roads, expressing frustration over the continued captivity of their relatives after 25 days.
The protest came as the abducted Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, released a viral video from captivity, disputing reports that the kidnappers were demanding the implementation of Sharia law or a ransom payment for their release.
In the video, Alamu said claims that the abductors were requesting N1 billion, weapons or the introduction of Sharia law were false.
According to her, the kidnappers had not imposed any religious practices on the captives and were not making such demands.
She stated that the abductors were only seeking the release of some individuals in government custody and appealed to authorities not to politicise the situation. Alamu urged Nigerians to circulate her message and pressure the government to engage the kidnappers through dialogue.
The principal accused some individuals of spreading misinformation that could complicate efforts to secure the victims’ release, insisting that negotiations remained the best path to resolving the crisis.
Meanwhile, protesters questioned why the government had not secured the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers despite the length of their captivity. Some compared the situation to the recent rescue of relatives of former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who regained freedom within days of their abduction.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers had earlier directed its members across Oyo State to embark on strike action until the abducted victims are rescued, while calls continue to mount for the Federal and Oyo State governments to intensify efforts to secure their release.
