The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, who was abducted alongside students and staff in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has claimed in a fresh video released by her captors that the abductors are seeking the release of some individuals in custody rather than a N1 billion ransom, the implementation of Sharia law, or weapons.

In the video released on Monday, the principal, speaking while in captivity, urged Nigerians to disregard reports alleging that the abductors were demanding money or the introduction of Sharia law, insisting that their only request was what she described as the release of “some of their people.”

According to her, reports linking the abductors to demands for a N1 billion ransom, Sharia law, or the release of a wealthy individual were false and risked complicating efforts to secure the freedom of the victims.

“Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place, and it seems that some people are making our problems more complicated. We were shown some print media reports stating that these people requested the release of some people, requested a billion naira, and requested Sharia law to be entrenched in the country. These are not true,” she said.

The principal further claimed that neither she nor the other captives had been compelled to practise Islam since their abduction.

“We have been here and have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. They have left us alone concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money. The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people,” she added.

Appealing to Nigerians, she urged the public not to politicise the plight of the victims and to help spread what she described as the true position of the abductors.

“Please, we are begging you, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, help us circulate this message. They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money, and they are not asking for weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people,” she said.

The latest footage is the newest in a series of videos released by the abductors since gunmen attacked schools in the Oriire area and abducted students, teachers and school administrators.

The video has renewed public concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims while also raising questions about the circumstances under which the principal delivered the message and whether the claims made in the footage reflect the abductors’ actual position.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies and the Oyo State Government had not officially responded to the claims contained in the latest video.

The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, who was abducted alongside students and staff in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has claimed in a fresh video released by her captors that the abductors are seeking the release of some individuals in custody rather than a N1 billion ransom, the implementation of Sharia law, or weapons.

In the video released on Monday, the principal, speaking while in captivity, urged Nigerians to disregard reports alleging that the abductors were demanding money or the introduction of Sharia law, insisting that their only request was what she described as the release of “some of their people.”

According to her, reports linking the abductors to demands for a N1 billion ransom, Sharia law, or the release of a wealthy individual were false and risked complicating efforts to secure the freedom of the victims.

“Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place, and it seems that some people are making our problems more complicated. We were shown some print media reports stating that these people requested the release of some people, requested a billion naira, and requested Sharia law to be entrenched in the country. These are not true,” she said.

The principal further claimed that neither she nor the other captives had been compelled to practise Islam since their abduction.

“We have been here and have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. They have left us alone concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money. The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people,” she added.

Appealing to Nigerians, she urged the public not to politicise the plight of the victims and to help spread what she described as the true position of the abductors.

“Please, we are begging you, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, help us circulate this message. They are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for money, and they are not asking for weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people,” she said.

The latest footage is the newest in a series of videos released by the abductors since gunmen attacked schools in the Oriire area and abducted students, teachers and school administrators.

The video has renewed public concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims while also raising questions about the circumstances under which the principal delivered the message and whether the claims made in the footage reflect the abductors’ actual position.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies and the Oyo State Government had not officially responded to the claims contained in the latest video.