By Ado Oyeyemi
Professor Wole Alamu, husband of Oyo State school principal Rachael Alamu, has revealed that he blocked the phone numbers of his wife’s kidnappers during negotiations after repeated threats from the abductors began affecting his health.
He made the disclosure while speaking during a thanksgiving service held after the release of his wife, who spent more than 50 days in captivity following her abduction alongside teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Mrs Alamu, the principal of Ahoro Esinle School, was kidnapped by gunmen on May 15, 2026, before regaining her freedom after a rescue operation announced by the Federal Government.
Sharing his ordeal, Professor Alamu described the incident as the greatest challenge his family had ever faced, noting that their quiet life, centred on academics, work and Christian service, was suddenly disrupted.
He admitted that the abduction came as a painful and embarrassing experience but expressed appreciation to security agencies for their swift response, saying senior military officers, police authorities and aerial surveillance teams were deployed shortly after the incident.
According to him, the support they received reinforced his faith and encouraged him to remain steadfast despite the uncertainty surrounding his wife’s safety.
The university lecturer also urged Christians to strengthen their faith before difficult times arise, saying crises often reveal the depth of one’s relationship with God.
Addressing the congregation, he said the emotional burden of the incident humbled him despite initially believing he could cope with the pressure.
Professor Alamu disclosed that he maintained communication with the abductors for about three weeks but eventually ended all contact after their repeated threats caused severe emotional distress and led to a spike in his blood pressure.
He explained that while undergoing a medical check-up, a threatening message from the kidnappers left him too distressed to complete the examination.
Fearing that the psychological pressure could cost him his own life, he decided to block all communication with the abductors.
According to him, the kidnappers later confronted his wife over the blocked phone numbers and threatened to kill her, but she remained resolute and declared that neither they nor fear would take her life.
He also alleged that the abductors left a cutlass beside her, apparently expecting her to harm herself, but she refused and maintained her confidence that she would survive the ordeal.
Professor Alamu said the kidnapping attracted support from individuals and organisations within and outside Nigeria, with several groups offering assistance during the negotiations.
He recalled receiving calls from Nigerians in the United States and said some non governmental organisations also volunteered to help, although some later indicated they would have to work through government authorities.
Reflecting on the experience, he urged Christians to remain committed to their faith, saying his family’s ordeal strengthened his belief in God’s power and faithfulness.
He also expressed gratitude to people from different religious backgrounds, including Muslim communities in Oyo State and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, for standing with his family throughout the period of uncertainty.
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Professor Alamu said the experience, though painful, had ultimately deepened his faith and filled his family with gratitude following his wife’s safe return.
