The husband of Oyo State school principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, who recently regained her freedom after spending more than 50 days in captivity, has revealed that he eventually blocked the kidnappers' phone numbers during ransom negotiations because the constant threats were seriously affecting his health.
Professor Wole Alamu made the disclosure while speaking during a thanksgiving service held after his wife's release. He said the repeated conversations with the abductors left him emotionally exhausted and caused his blood pressure to rise.
Mrs. Alamu, the principal of Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, was abducted alongside pupils and teachers on May 15, 2026. She regained her freedom after more than 50 days in captivity following a rescue operation announced by the Federal Government.
Sharing his experience, Professor Alamu described the ordeal as the greatest challenge his family had ever faced, noting that they had always lived a quiet life devoted to academics, work and Christian service.
"My family is very quiet. We simply serve God and go about our lives. Before this incident, anyone who searched my name online would mostly find academic work," he said.
He admitted that his wife's abduction was deeply painful and embarrassing for him.
Despite the trauma, he praised the swift response of security agencies, saying senior military and police officials mobilised almost immediately after the incident.
He recalled that by the time he arrived at the scene, the General Officer Commanding of the 2nd Mechanised Division and the Commissioner of Police were already there, while military helicopters had begun searching the surrounding forest.
"It could only have been God. It was also an answer to the prayers of my pastor and members of the church," he said.
Professor Alamu encouraged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, saying difficult situations often expose the true strength of a person's relationship with God.
Addressing men during his testimony, he admitted that although he initially believed he could remain emotionally strong, the experience humbled him.
"We always say big boys don't cry, but big boys can become small boys. I told my pastor that I would be strong, but that first night was the longest night of my life," he said.
He explained that he communicated directly with the kidnappers for about three weeks before deciding to stop all contact because every conversation left him physically shaken.
"They kept threatening me, and every time they did, I became destabilised. One day I went for a medical check-up, but after receiving one of their messages, my blood pressure shot up so much that I couldn't even complete the examination," he recalled.
According to him, he realised continuing the conversations could cost him his own life.
Read Also:
Gunmen Attack Osun PVC Distribution Centre, Cart Away Voter Cards
"I decided to block them. I told myself they couldn't kill me here and kill my wife there. If they wanted to take her life, she would be with Christ, but they wouldn't take both of us," he said.
Professor Alamu revealed that after discovering they had been blocked, the kidnappers confronted his wife and threatened to kill her.
According to him, she responded with confidence, declaring that they would not kill her in Jesus' name.
He further claimed that the abductors left a cutlass beside her, apparently expecting her to take her own life.
"When they returned, they were blaming one another for leaving the cutlass beside her. My wife told them, 'I will not kill myself, and you will not kill me either.' I thank God for giving her that courage," he said.
Professor Alamu also spoke about the overwhelming support his family received during the crisis. He said people from across Nigeria and abroad, including individuals from California and Los Angeles in the United States, reached out with prayers and offers of assistance.
He added that several non-governmental organisations also offered to support the rescue efforts, although some later decided to work directly with government authorities.
Reflecting on the experience, he urged Christians to remain committed to their faith before adversity strikes.
"If you want to be a Christian, then truly be one. Challenges reveal the kind of relationship you have with God," he said.
He also expressed appreciation to people of different faiths who stood by his family during the difficult period, noting that Muslim communities in Oyo State and at LAUTECH were among the first to visit and offer support.
Quoting Psalm 126, Professor Alamu said the family's sorrow had been turned into joy, adding that although the kidnapping was the greatest trial he had faced since becoming a Christian in 1990, it had strengthened his faith in God.
