The Principal of Oriire Community High School, who remains in captivity alongside other abducted victims, has dismissed a widely circulated report in the media alleging that their abductors are demanding a ransom of N1 billion, the imposition of Sharia law, or the supply of weapons as conditions for their release.
In a new viral video message believed to have been recorded from captivity, the principal appealed to Nigerians and government authorities not to complicate efforts aimed at securing their freedom through what she described as false and misleading reports.
According to her, the kidnappers have made only one demand since their abduction, which is the release of some of their detained associates.
The school administrator, who disclosed that the victims had spent 24 days in captivity, said reports attributing other demands to the abductors were inaccurate and capable of jeopardising ongoing efforts to secure their release.
“We were shown some print media reports stating that these people requested the release of some persons, demanded a billionaire ransom and wanted Sharia law entrenched in the country. These claims are not true,” she said.
The principal insisted that neither she nor the other captives had been pressured to adopt any religious practice during their captivity, contrary to suggestions that the abductors were pursuing a religious agenda.
“We have not been forced to worship in any Islamic way. We have been left alone.
“They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law and they are not asking for money,” he stated.
He maintained that the only issue raised by the kidnappers was the release of some individuals currently in government custody, urging authorities to engage with them on that basis.
“The single thing they are asking for is the release of some of their people. The government can negotiate with them and determine those they will release.
“I do not know why some people are spreading rumours that make our situation more complicated,” she said.
The visibly distressed principal appealed to Nigerians to help amplify what she described as the true position of the abductors’ demands, while appealing against attempts to politicise the plight of the captives.
“Please, Nigerians, help us circulate this message. Do not play politics with our lives. Our lives are in your hands.
“Let everybody know they are not asking for Sharia law, they are not asking for weapons and they are not asking for money,” he pleaded.
She further accused unnamed individuals of attempting to mislead the public and the international community regarding the circumstances surrounding their captivity.
“Please do not let the government deceive the whole world. They are not asking for Sharia law.
“They are not asking for money. All they want is the release of some of their people,” he added.
The latest development has added a new dimension to the controversy surrounding the abduction, with the principal’s remarks contradicting reports that had suggested the kidnappers were demanding huge sums of money and pursuing broader ideological objectives.
As of the time of filing this report, government authorities had yet to officially respond to the claims contained in the viral message, while efforts to secure the release of the abducted principal and other victims continue.
Source: Westernmirror.com.ng
