Principal Denies Sharia Demand Amid Oyo Kidnapping Crisis

On May 15, 2026, Mr. Rachael Alamu, the principal of a community high school in Oyo State, was kidnapped along with 40 pupils and a teacher from Baptist Nursery Primary School and Yawota Community Grammar School.

In a viral video, Alamu pleaded for help, denying that the kidnappers had requested sharia law or a ransom, stating that they only wanted the release of the captives. The Nigerian Union of Teachers initiated a strike across the state, demanding the rescue of the victims.

Protests erupted in Ogbomoso, where hundreds blocked major highways, causing significant traffic disruptions. Former Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu's twin children were among those abducted, and he expressed concern over the government's response.

Alamu's distress call emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging Nigerians not to politicize the crisis and to assist in circulating the message for help.