Why I blocked the kidnappers when my wife was taken - Oyo principal’s husband

The husband of Rachael Alamu, the Oyo State school principal who was recently freed after over 50 days in captivity, shared that he blocked the kidnappers' phone numbers during the talks. He did this because their constant threats were seriously affecting his health.

Professor Wole Alamu made this known during a thanksgiving service for his wife's release. He explained how ongoing communication with the kidnappers drained him emotionally, made him physically weak, and caused high blood pressure.

PUNCH Online reported earlier that Mrs Alamu, the principal of Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, was among students and teachers taken by armed men on May 15, 2026.

The victims spent over 50 days in captivity before they were freed after a rescue operation announced by the Federal Government.

During the emotional service, Professor Alamu described the experience as the hardest challenge his family has faced. He said the kidnapping disrupted their quiet family life focused on academics, work, and Christian activities.

"I want to say to my family, we are a very quiet family. We just come to work for God and we go home. We do not make noise.

"I am very sure if you search my name on Google, before now, what you would mostly see was academics."

He admitted that his wife's abduction was a personal embarrassment.

"My wife’s abduction was an embarrassment to me," he stated.

Despite the painful situation, the professor thanked the security agencies for their quick response after the incident.

"They abducted my wife and other people. I got to Osiele.

"I would like to say that within 45 minutes, the General Officer Commanding of the 2nd Mechanised Division was already there. The Commissioner of Police was already there before me. Two helicopters were already combing the forest one hour before I got there.

"It can only be God, and it is an answered prayer from my pastor and every member of this association."

He urged Christians to stay strong in their faith, noting that tough situations often show a person's spiritual strength.

"We are all needy people. We should always abide in the presence of the Lord."

Speaking to men during the service, Professor Alamu said the experience humbled him. He initially thought he could handle the emotional pressure.

"We the men, I know we are strong-hearted and stubborn. Big boys don’t cry. Big boys can become small boys.

"The night they abducted them, I went to meet Reverend and told him, ‘I will be strong.’

"I thought I was strong because that night was the longest night I ever lived."

He shared that the ordeal taught him the need to live a good Christian life before challenges arise.

"If you don’t live right and this challenge faces you, the devil will come and tell you, ‘See yourself now.’

"The Bible says the devil is the accuser of the brethren. I saw it graphically."

Professor Alamu said he communicated with the kidnappers for about three weeks before he decided to cut off all contact due to the impact on his health.

"When my wife was abducted, I was chatting with the abductors for the first three weeks.

"I was threatened and immediately they threatened me, I was always destabilised.

"There was a day I went for a medical check-up. They sent me a text message and I became destabilised. By the time I got to the clinic, I could not even do the check-up because my blood pressure had already increased."

He concluded that continuing communication with the kidnappers was a risk to his life.

"That day I decided I would block these people.

"You cannot kill me here and kill her there. Choose one. If you want to take her, she is going to be with Christ.

"You cannot kill the two of us at the same time."

Professor Alamu said the kidnappers later confronted his wife after they found out they had been blocked.

"They went to her and said, ‘Madam, your husband has blocked us. We are going to kill you.’

"She replied, ‘You will not kill me in Jesus’ name.’"

He also revealed that the kidnappers left a cutlass beside her, likely hoping she would harm herself.

"They left one cutlass beside the Madam Principal.

"When they came back, they were blaming one another, saying, ‘You left a cutlass beside the Madam Principal so she could kill herself.’

"My wife replied immediately, ‘I will not kill myself and you too will not kill me.’

"I thank God for that boldness. She spoke positively."

According to the professor, many people and organisations from Nigeria and abroad reached out to support him.

He received calls from places like California and Los Angeles in the United States, and some international groups offered help.

"I got some numbers calling me, especially from California and Los Angeles in the U.S.

"One of them sent me a proposal of about six pages.

"There were NGOs that God used to assist me. Some said they wanted to take over negotiations but later said they would have to deal directly with the government."

Looking back on the experience, Professor Alamu encouraged Christians not to take their faith lightly. He said trials often show the true strength of one’s relationship with God.

"If you want to be a Christian, please be a Christian.

"If you don’t want to be, it is better you go out so that when challenges come, you are on your own and people won’t be praying in vain."

He remembered how people from different religions came together to support him during the crisis.

"The first set of people that visited me were the Muslim community of Oyo State.

"The second set of people that visited me were the Muslim community in LAUTECH," he said.

Quoting Psalm 126, Professor Alamu said their sorrow had turned to joy. He added that though the kidnapping was the toughest trial he has faced since becoming a Christian in 1990, it has strengthened his faith in God's power.

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy," he stated.