Professor Wole Alamu, husband of Oyo State school principal Rachael Alamu, has revealed that he eventually blocked the phone numbers of his wife’s kidnappers during negotiations because their constant threats were taking a serious toll on his health.
Alamu made the disclosure while speaking during a thanksgiving service held after his wife’s release, describing the more than 50-day ordeal as the greatest challenge his family has ever faced.
Mrs. Alamu, the principal of Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, was among teachers and pupils abducted by armed men on May 15, 2026, while travelling in the state. The incident shocked residents and renewed concerns over the growing wave of kidnappings targeting schools and travellers across parts of Nigeria.
She and the other victims regained their freedom after spending more than 50 days in captivity following a rescue operation announced by the Federal Government.
Speaking emotionally before members of the congregation, Professor Alamu recounted the painful weeks of uncertainty, saying the kidnapping turned the quiet life his family had always lived upside down.
According to him, before the incident, his family was known mainly for academic work and Christian service rather than public attention.
“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,” he said.
“I am very sure if you search my name on Google, before now, what you would mostly see was academics.”
The professor admitted that the abduction of his wife was personally painful and embarrassing, but said the experience ultimately strengthened his faith in God.
“My wife’s abduction was an embarrassment to me,” he said.
Despite the trauma, Alamu commended the swift response of security agencies, saying they mobilised immediately after the attack.
According to him, senior military and police officers were on the ground within a short time, while helicopters were deployed to search the surrounding forests.
“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 remain steadfast in their faith, saying difficult moments often reveal the strength of a person’s relationship with God.
“We are all needy people. We should always abide in the presence of the Lord,” he added.
Addressing men in the congregation, Alamu said he initially believed he was emotionally strong enough to handle the crisis but soon realised how overwhelming the situation had become.
“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 said the experience taught him that genuine faith must be built before difficult times 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 disclosed that he personally communicated with the kidnappers for about three weeks after the abduction in an effort to secure his wife’s release.
However, he said every conversation left him emotionally shaken because the abductors repeatedly threatened him.
According to him, the constant pressure eventually affected 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.”
Faced with worsening health, he said he decided to stop all communication with the kidnappers.
“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.”
According to him, the kidnappers later confronted his wife after discovering 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.'”
Alamu also narrated another frightening incident in captivity, saying the kidnappers allegedly left a cutlass beside his wife.
He said they later accused one another of leaving the weapon within her reach because they feared she might use it to take her own life.
“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.”
The professor said the kidnapping attracted support from people across Nigeria and abroad.
According to him, he received calls from Nigerians and well-wishers in places including California and Los Angeles in the United States.
He added that some international non-governmental organisations also contacted him and offered assistance during the crisis.
“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.”
He also appreciated members of different religious communities who stood by his family throughout the ordeal.
According to him, one of the first groups to visit him after the abduction was the Muslim community in Oyo State.
“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.
Reflecting on the experience, Professor Alamu urged Christians not to take their faith lightly, saying periods of crisis often expose the true depth of one’s spiritual life.
“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.”
Quoting Psalm 126, he said God had turned the family’s sorrow into joy.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy,” he declared.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained one of Nigeria’s major security challenges in recent years, with schools, highways and rural communities frequently targeted by armed groups. Although security agencies have recorded successes in rescuing victims and arresting suspects, attacks continue to raise concerns about public safety.
For the Alamu family, however, the thanksgiving service marked the end of a painful chapter. While describing the abduction as the greatest trial he has faced since becoming a Christian in 1990, Professor Alamu said the experience deepened his faith and reminded him that hope can endure even in the darkest moments.