Oriire kidnap: Abductors want detained associates released, not N1bn, Sharia law- School principal

…As Oyo govt demolishes house where kidnapped Adelabu sibling was kept

STEPHEN GBADAMOSI, IBADAN

The Principal of Oriire Community High School, Ahoro Esinele, who is in captivity alongside other abducted victims, has dismissed a widely circulated report in the media alleging that their abductors are demanding a ransom of N1 billion, imposition of Sharia law, or supply of weapons as conditions for their release.

This is just as the Oyo State government, on Monday, demolished a building from which Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her twins were rescued when they were in captivity.

In a new viral video message believed to have been recorded from captivity and which surfaced on Monday, the principal of Community High School appealed to Nigerians and government authorities not to complicate efforts aimed at securing their freedom through what she described as false and misleading reports.

According to her, the kidnappers had made only one demand since their abduction, which was the release of some of their detained associates.

The school administrator, who disclosed that the victims had spent 24 days in captivity, said reports attributing other demands to the abductors were inaccurate and capable of jeopardising ongoing efforts to secure their release.

“We were shown some print media reports stating that these people requested the release of some persons, demanded a billion naira ransom and wanted Sharia law entrenched in the country. These claims are not true,” she said.

The principal insisted that neither she nor the other captives had been pressured to adopt any religious practice during their captivity, contrary to suggestions that the abductors were pursuing a religious agenda.

“We have not been forced to worship in any Islamic way. We have been left alone. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law and they are not asking for money,” she stated.

She maintained that the only issue raised by the kidnappers was the release of some individuals currently in government custody, urging authorities to engage with them on that basis.

“The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people. The government can negotiate with them and determine those they will release. I do not know why some people are spreading rumours that make our situation more complicated,” she said.

The visibly distressed principal appealed to Nigerians to help amplify what she described as the true position of the abductors’ demands, while appealing against attempts to politicise the plight of the captives.

“Please, Nigerians, help us circulate this message. Do not play politics with our lives. Our lives are in your hands. Let everybody know they are not asking for Sharia law; they are not asking for weapons and they are not asking for money,” she said.

She further accused unnamed individuals of attempting to mislead the public and the international community regarding the circumstances surrounding their captivity.

“Please do not let the government deceive the whole world. They are not asking for Sharia law. They are not asking for money. All they want is the release of some of their people,” she added.

The latest development has added a new dimension to the controversy surrounding the abduction, with the principal’s remarks contradicting reports that had suggested the kidnappers were demanding huge sums of money and pursuing broader ideological objectives.

As of the time of filing this report, government authorities had yet to officially respond to the claims contained in the viral message, while efforts to secure the release of the abducted principal and other victims continue.

In a related development, the state government demolished a three-bedroom bungalow located in the Lako Community, Aiyegun-Anaye road area of Ibadan.

The building was allegedly used as a hideout by kidnappers involved in the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, and her children.

The demolition exercise was carried out by officials of the Oyo State Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, accompanied by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, who visited the scene.

The exercise was also part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

The victims, Mrs. John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were abducted at Elewura, Challenge area of Ibadan on Wednesday, June 3.

The state government said the action underscored its commitment to combating insecurity and dismantling criminal networks operating within Oyo State.