The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has donated a brand-new Toyota Camry to Mrs Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, following her release from captivity after surviving a 56-day kidnapping ordeal.
The presentation took place on Monday and was attended by the member representing Afijio/Oyo East/Oyo West/Atiba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Akeem Adeyemi, alongside supporters and community members.
The donation comes barely days after the successful rescue of Mrs Alamu and dozens of abducted pupils and teachers who were held by kidnappers for several weeks after the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
Gesture honours courage and resilience
Speaking during the presentation, Alli said the vehicle was donated in recognition of the principal’s courage, resilience and commitment to duty despite the traumatic experience she endured while in captivity.
He described Mrs Alamu as a symbol of dedication to education, noting that teachers who continue to serve in rural communities despite growing security threats deserve encouragement and support from government, organisations and individuals.
According to him, the donation represents a modest contribution towards helping the principal rebuild her life after the emotional and physical challenges associated with the abduction.
The APC governorship candidate also expressed sympathy with families affected by the incident and prayed for the continued recovery of all rescued victims.
Principal spent 56 days in captivity
Mrs Alamu was among the teachers abducted alongside pupils during the attack on Community High School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area in May 2026.
The abduction attracted widespread national attention and renewed concerns over the security of schools, particularly those located in rural communities.
The victims remained in captivity for 56 days before security agencies successfully rescued them in a coordinated operation that brought relief to their families and residents across Oyo State.
Following the rescue, the Oyo State Government transferred the victims to medical facilities for comprehensive health checks and psychological assessment before reuniting them with their loved ones.
Emotional reunion after rescue
Shortly after regaining freedom, Mrs Alamu was taken to the Military Hospital in Ibadan, where she received medical attention alongside other rescued victims.
A video that circulated on social media after her rescue showed the visibly emotional principal asking security personnel about the whereabouts of her husband and her vehicle.
Security operatives reassured her that her family was safe, while relatives and sympathisers welcomed her return after weeks of uncertainty.
The emotional scene drew widespread reactions from Nigerians, many of whom praised the resilience displayed by the principal throughout the ordeal.
Community applauds donation
Residents of Oriire Local Government Area and education stakeholders have welcomed the donation, describing it as a thoughtful gesture that recognises the sacrifices made by teachers working under difficult conditions.
Many noted that beyond the value of the vehicle itself, the presentation serves as moral support for victims recovering from traumatic experiences caused by insecurity.
Community leaders also called on governments, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to continue supporting victims of kidnapping through rehabilitation, counselling and other forms of assistance.
They argued that helping victims recover psychologically is as important as ensuring their physical safety.
Renewed calls for stronger school security
The donation comes amid sustained calls for improved security around schools and vulnerable communities across Oyo State following the Oriire abduction.
Stakeholders have urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, deploy more security personnel to rural schools and invest in infrastructure capable of preventing future attacks.
The abduction resulted in the loss of lives, including some teachers and security personnel involved in rescue operations, further highlighting the dangers posed by criminal groups operating in parts of the country.
While many of the rescued pupils and teachers are gradually returning to normal life, governments and security agencies have reiterated their commitment to improving school safety and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur again.