Professor Wole Alamu made the difficult decision to cut communication with the abductors of his wife, Oyo school principal Rachael Alamu, after three weeks of relentless threats that aggravated his hypertension. The principal of Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area was kidnapped alongside teachers and pupils on May 15, 2026, and spent more than 50 days in captivity before being rescued in a federal government operation.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service after her release, Professor Alamu recounted how the kidnapping ordeal pushed him to a breaking point. He explained that every threatening message from the kidnappers left him emotionally shaken. During a hospital visit for a medical check-up, he received a text from the abductors just before seeing the doctor. "They sent me a text message, and I became destabilised... I could not even do the check-up because my blood pressure had already increased," he said.
Health Crisis Forced Communication Cutoff
The stress of negotiating with the kidnappers for three weeks took a severe toll on Professor Alamu's health. After repeated threats that caused his blood pressure to spike dangerously, he made the painful choice to block their phone numbers. "You cannot kill me here and kill her there. Choose one," he recalled saying, explaining that he had to protect his own life to have any chance of securing his wife's release.
The kidnappers later informed Mrs. Alamu that her husband had blocked them and threatened to kill her because of his action. According to Professor Alamu, his wife responded with unwavering faith: "You will not kill me in Jesus' name." The abductors even placed a cutlass beside her, hoping she would take her own life. Instead, she told them, "I will not kill myself, and you too will not kill me."
Wife's Defiance Despite Threats
Professor Alamu praised his wife's courage and her refusal to give in to fear. He also commended security agencies for their quick response after the abduction. The professor described the entire ordeal as the greatest test of his faith since becoming a Christian in 1990. He expressed gratitude to Christians, Muslims, Nigerians abroad, and non-governmental organizations that supported his family throughout the crisis.
The rescue operation, announced by the federal government, brought an end to the 50-day captivity. The principal and others were freed, marking a significant relief for the community.
Rescued Pupil Recounts 56-Day Ordeal
One of the rescued pupils, 15-year-old Bello Hassan, shared his experience. He recalled that gunmen stormed his school during a test and marched pupils and teachers into the forest, where they lived under trees and were moved between camps. Hassan said the kidnappers flogged some teachers but did not beat the pupils. Despite the traumatic experience, he insisted he was not afraid and would return to school if given the opportunity.
The abduction of Mrs. Alamu and the others highlights ongoing security challenges in Oyo State and the resilience of victims and their families. The family's faith and the support from the community played a crucial role in sustaining them during the harrowing weeks.
