Oriire: Fresh video emerges as principal debunks Sharia law claims

A fresh video has again been released by abductors involved in the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The new video has sparked concern among residents and stakeholders, even as government and security agencies continue efforts to secure the release of the victims.

The development has introduced a new dimension to the situation following the circulation of a video allegedly recorded by the abductors.

In the video, the principal, Mrs Alamu, refuted reports claiming that the kidnappers were demanding the implementation of Sharia law as part of their conditions.

According to her, the abductors are not demanding the implementation of Sharia law, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters. She stated that the group’s primary demand remains the release of some of their detained members.

“Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in captivity and it seems some people are making our problem more complicated.

“We were shown some print media where it was stated that the people that abducted us requested the release of some people; they requested some billion naira. I want to make some clarification. Please don’t play politics with our lives,” she said.

Mrs Alamu further stated: “They are just trying to create problems for us. We have been here since. We have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. We have been left alone; they have not troubled us 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. I don’t know why they are peddling this rumour to make it complicated for us.

“Please, we are just begging you. Don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us to circulate this. Let it go viral.

“They are not asking for weapons; they are not asking for money. All they want is the release of some people, and the government will negotiate with them and know those that they will release for them.

“I don’t know why they are playing politics with our lives. Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hands. Help us make this go viral. Don’t let the government deceive the whole world. They are not asking for Sharia; they are not asking for money; they are not asking for weapons. All they want is the release of some of their people. Please let everybody know about it.”

Mrs Alamu appealed to government authorities and the public to refrain from spreading inaccurate information about the situation, warning that such reports could complicate ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims.

She urged authorities to ensure that information released to the public reflects the realities of the negotiations and circumstances surrounding the abduction.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued an official response to the claims made in the video.