News
Kidnapped Oyo Principal Debunks ₦1bn, Sharia Demand Claims
Mrs Rachael Alamu, the school principal abducted alongside 45 students in Oyo State, has dismissed reports alleging that their captors demanded a ₦1bn ransom, firearms and the implementation of Sharia law across Nigeria.
Alamu, who has remained in captivity since she and the students were kidnapped on May 15, described the reports making the rounds on social media and some online platforms as false.
In an emotional video released from captivity over the weekend, the visibly distressed principal said the kidnappers had made only one demand — the release of some of their members currently in detention.
“The information being circulated that they demanded ₦1bn, guns and Sharia law is not true,” she said in the video.
“What they are asking for is the release of some of their detained members.”
The clarification came amid growing anxiety among parents, residents and concerned Nigerians over the safety of the abducted students, as conflicting reports continued to trail the incident.
Over the weekend, reports widely circulated online claimed the abductors had issued far-reaching demands to the Oyo State Government, including a ₦1bn ransom, weapons and the enforcement of Sharia law nationwide as conditions for freeing the victims.
However, Alamu’s latest statement appears to have contradicted the viral claims.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has urged caution over public discussions surrounding the kidnappers’ alleged demands, warning against actions that could strengthen criminal networks.
Speaking during plenary while lawmakers deliberated on the abduction, Ogundoyin stressed the need for restraint and sensitivity, noting that the government was handling delicate security matters.
“If terrorists asked for weapons, money and concessions of future laws of this land as part of their ransom, if you’re the governor, would you accept?” the Speaker queried.
He added, “We don’t know the details. So, please, let’s be sensitive. The more you negotiate with these people, the more you will embolden them.”
The abduction, which has continued to generate outrage across the state, has renewed concerns over insecurity in schools and the vulnerability of students to attacks by criminal groups.
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government had yet to officially react to Alamu’s latest comments, while efforts to secure the release of the victims were said to be ongoing.
The Oyo State Government on Monday demolished a three-bedroom bungalow allegedly used as a hideout by suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, and her children in Ibadan.
The property, located at Lakoun Estate, Olomi-Olojuoro Road in Oluyole Local Government Area, was pulled down by officials of the state Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, accompanied by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
The demolition followed the abduction of Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, reportedly seized by gunmen at the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The victims were rescued by police operatives on Saturday.
Residents watched from a distance as heavy-duty equipment moved into the community to demolish the bungalow, which security operatives allegedly identified as a base for the criminal gang.
The state government said the action underscored its resolve to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against criminality.
Police authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the demolition as of the time of filing this report.
Member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has donated ₦5 million to the Anfaani Muslim Community Central Mosque in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area for its solar power project.
Oseni, who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, (FERMA), made the donation on Friday, according to a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele.
The lawmaker, who is the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, described the gesture as a reflection of his commitment to service, faith, and community development.
He said supporting faith-based institutions remained a privilege that should be embraced with humility.
“I had the honour and privilege of supporting the Anfani Muslim Community Central Mosque with the sum of ₦5 million towards the execution of its solar power project,” Oseni said in the statement.
The APC senatorial candidate for Oyo South stressed that service to humanity and support for religious institutions were responsibilities that come with divine trust.
He added that every opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society should be valued.
“It is always a blessing and a profound responsibility to contribute to the work of God and support initiatives that strengthen our faith communities,” he said.
“Whenever we are presented with the opportunity to uplift institutions devoted to worship and communal development, we must embrace it with sincerity and gratitude”, the statement added.
Oseni noted that acts of service should not be neglected, adding that God could raise others to fulfil His purpose if one failed to act.
He prayed for continued peace, progress, and prosperity across communities, expressing optimism that religious institutions would remain pillars of moral and social development.
“May Almighty God continue to strengthen His church and mosque, bless our communities with peace, and prosper every effort geared towards the advancement of faith and humanity,” he prayed.
Speaking during the visit, the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Alhaji Saheed Gbadamosi, appreciated the lawmaker for the support and for personally visiting the mosque, describing the gesture as a mark of respect for the Muslim community.
He offered prayers for the lawmaker, seeking divine guidance, protection and greater accomplishments in his public service.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Johnson Elleh, for allegedly producing and circulating a viral video falsely claiming the presence of kidnapping and banditry activities along the Owode-Idiroko axis of the state.
The command said preliminary findings showed that the suspect deliberately fabricated and shared the misleading content to attract public attention and generate online engagement.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Abeokuta.
According to Babaseyi, the command immediately launched an investigation after the video surfaced online, subjecting its contents to scrutiny to verify the claims.
He said the findings revealed that the video was false, misleading, and intentionally crafted to trigger fear, panic, and anxiety among residents.
“Findings revealed that the video was false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson stated that extensive verification further confirmed that no incident of kidnapping or banditry occurred in the Owode-Idiroko corridor or surrounding communities as portrayed in the viral clip.
He added that detectives later identified the suspect after discovering that he featured in the video, leading to his arrest.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspect was featured in the video and was subsequently identified by detectives, leading to his arrest,” Babaseyi stated.
He explained that the suspect’s action was capable of causing unnecessary public tension, disrupting social order, and eroding confidence in the state’s security system.
“During the course of the investigation, the suspect reportedly confessed to intentionally creating and disseminating the misleading content to generate online engagement and public reaction,” he added.
While noting that investigation into the matter was ongoing, the command said Elleh would be charged to court at the conclusion of the probe.
The police command strongly condemned the spread of fake news, false security alerts, and other forms of misinformation capable of creating fear and confusion among law-abiding citizens.
It warned individuals and groups against publishing, recirculating, or disseminating unverified security-related information, stressing that such acts threaten public peace and would attract legal consequences.
“The Command will continue to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute all persons found culpable, irrespective of status or motive,” the statement added.
The police, however, reassured residents that Ogun remained safe, peaceful, and secure, urging them to remain calm and rely only on verified information released through official channels.
“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order across the state,” Babaseyi concluded.
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