A heart-wrenching scene unfolded in Ogbomoso on Saturday as Wole Alamu, husband of the abducted Ogbomoso principal, broke down in tears while appealing to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to intensify efforts to rescue his wife and other victims still being held by kidnappers.
Alamu made the emotional plea during the governor’s visit to families of those abducted in the May 15 attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota area of Oriire Local Government Area.
His wife, Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, was among staff members and students abducted when armed men riding motorcycles stormed three schools in the area. The attackers kidnapped dozens of teachers and pupils from Community High School, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The raid turned deadly as the gunmen killed an assistant headmaster, Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist.
Speaking during the visit, Alamu thanked the governor for the efforts made so far but urged him not to relent until all those in captivity regain their freedom.
“Our governor, we thank you because we know the efforts you have made since this incident happened. But please, don’t be weary in the rescue mission for our people in captivity,” he said.
The distraught husband said watching videos of his wife released by the kidnappers had been emotionally devastating.
“My wife is the one being used to make the videos that are being circulated. It is very disheartening and depressing,” he said in Yoruba while kneeling before the governor.
Makinde immediately moved to comfort him, embracing the grieving husband as he wept.
The governor acknowledged the pain being experienced by the affected families and assured them that authorities were working tirelessly to secure the victims’ release.
“All I need is your cooperation. Please trust us. I cannot speak much because of security implications. I know your hearts are bleeding. My heart is also bleeding. Please trust us. We will secure their release,” Makinde said.
According to the governor, seven teachers were abducted during the attack. He also disclosed that one of the victims, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed while in captivity.
In a video circulated online on Friday, Rachael Alamu appealed to both federal and state governments not to pursue a forceful rescue operation, saying the kidnappers had threatened to kill another captive if security agencies attempted such an action.
The incident has heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in south-west Nigeria, with fears growing that violent attacks and kidnappings traditionally associated with northern regions are increasingly spreading into other parts of the country.
