Outcry as kidnapped Oyo school principal, pupils seek rescue

A school principal in Oyo State, identified as Mrs. Alamu, has appealed for urgent help after she and several teachers and students were reportedly abducted by gunmen.

In a viral video circulating on Sunday, the woman, who said she is the principal of Community High School, Esinele, disclosed that the attack occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday in Oriire Local Government Area.

According to her, armed men stormed the school and took away a number of staff members and students.

“We were attacked on Friday morning, and many of us, including teachers and students, were abducted,” she said in the video.

She called on the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and other Nigerians to intervene and ensure their safe release.

“We have been here since Friday. We are pleading for help so this situation can be resolved peacefully and our lives spared,” she added.

Another victim, identified as Temitope, also made an emotional appeal in the video, saying she works with First Baptist Church in Ogbomosho. She was seen carrying a baby while calling for urgent intervention.

“We need help from the government, the church, and the community so we can be freed,” she said, adding that the abducted children were in distress.

“The children are crying. Please don’t abandon us. We need help,” she pleaded.

Although the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed awareness of the footage.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said authorities are investigating the situation.

“I have seen the video, and we are working on it,” he said.

The incident follows earlier reports of an attack on a secondary school in the Ahoro-Esinele community, where gunmen abducted the principal and several students.

The development has sparked widespread concern, with many Nigerians calling for urgent action to secure the victims’ release and address growing insecurity in the region.