A school principal identified as Mrs. Alamu has appealed for urgent intervention after she and several teachers and students were reportedly abducted by gunmen in Oyo State.
The victims were seen in a viral video circulating on social media on Sunday, where the principal said they were kidnapped during an attack on their school in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Mrs. Alamu, who identified herself as the principal of Community High School, Esinele, said the incident occurred around 9:30am on Friday when armed men invaded the school premises and whisked away staff members and students.
“On Friday at around 9:30, we were attacked by some gunmen. Many of us, including staff and students, were abducted,” she said in the emotional video.
The principal appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria and other concerned Nigerians to intervene and facilitate their release.
“We have been here since Friday. I am pleading with everyone to help us and ensure this matter is resolved peacefully so that no life will be lost,” she added.
Another victim identified as Temitope, who appeared in the video carrying a baby, also appealed for urgent assistance from authorities and religious organisations.
“I’m from Ibadan and I work at First Baptist Church in Ogbomosho. They came to our school and kidnapped both teachers and children. We need help from the Federal Government, the state government, the church and the community,” she said.
She lamented the condition of the abducted pupils, saying many of the children had been crying while in captivity.
“The children are crying. Please help us so that our lives will not be wasted. We are begging for help,” she said.
Although the authenticity of the video could not be independently verified as of press time, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed that the command was aware of the footage.
“I have seen the video. We are working on it,” the police spokesman said.
The incident followed reports that gunmen attacked a secondary school in the Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting the principal alongside several students and teachers.
The development has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the growing insecurity in schools and calling for the immediate rescue of the victims.
Watch video HERE
