Insecurity
‘We Have Spent 13 Days In The Bush, Don’t Let Them Waste Our Lives’ — Abducted Oyo School Principal, Teacher Beg Tinubu, Makinde To Negotiate With Kidnappers
All they have to do is to negotiate with them and release us. We are in the cold. We are under the sun, we are under the rain.
Ibadan, Oyo State– The abducted principal and a teacher of Community High School in Ahoro-Esinle community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have pleaded with President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently negotiate with their abductors to secure their release, warning that the kidnappers were becoming “impatient and frustrated.”
The victims made the emotional appeal in a video obtained by Afrika Eyes, where they were seen in distress while being held captive in a bush by their abductors.
In the video, the school principal was seen kneeling down as he appealed to the government, labour unions and Nigerians to intervene through negotiation rather than force.
Speaking in the video, the principal said the victims had spent about 13 days in captivity under harsh weather conditions.
“Good morning. Today is the 27th of May, 2026. About 13 days ago, we have been picked, we have been picked from the, from work,” he said.
“And still now, we are still in the bush, and we are begging you, President Tinubu, Governor Seyi, and every other well-meaning Nigerians to please help us.
“I’m calling on NUT and ANCOPPS (All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Secondary Schools) to help us to talk to them. We don’t need force.
“All they have to do is to negotiate with them and release us. We are in the cold. We are under the sun, we are under the rain.
“The children and the adults as well. Please, we are begging you, we are begging you, don’t let them waste our lives. They are getting impatient and frustrated.
“Please help us. We are begging you in the name of God. Please help us.
“Please, please help us. Please, please help us. Don’t just leave us here.
“Don’t forget us in the bush. Please, answer them on time. Please, this does not call for force at all.”
Another teacher, who was seen holding a toddler while crying in the video, also appealed to Governor Makinde and other authorities to negotiate with the abductors.
The visibly distressed teacher said, “Please, just negotiate with them and dialogue with them. We are pleading on to our Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde. Please help us negotiate with these people.
“Whatever they want, please give to them. Please help us save our lives. Please, we are all here, all we the teachers and the children.
“Please, we need your help.”
