The husband of Mary Akanbi, a woman seen in a viral video begging Nigerians to help rescue victims abducted by terrorists in Oyo State, has said he would surrender himself to the kidnappers if they agree to release his wife and child.
The emotional revelation was made in an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo after he visited Ogbomoso, Oyo State, days after gunmen kidnapped students, teachers and residents in the area.
According to Jideonwo, the distraught husband identified his abducted wife as Mary, who was carrying their one-and-a-half-year-old baby when she was seized by the attackers.
“My wife was kidnapped, her name is Akanbi Mary, she backed one-and-half-year-old baby,” the man said.
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“We the victims are the only people remaining in the community, with no security personnel, no protection whatsoever. Most of the security personnel who tried rescue mission were all wasted.”
The man lamented the absence of security presence in the community, saying residents have been abandoned to their fate after the attack.
“I will gladly give myself to them for the sake of my wife and my child. Let them free my wife and my child and just take me instead,” he said.
“I am in the exact community where my family was taken. Let them come for me instead. They have taken everything; they have ruined my life.”
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that gunmen who abducted teachers and pupils from schools in Oyo State released disturbing videos from captivity, in which one of the victims, identified as Mary, appeared with her baby strapped to her back, pleading for urgent government intervention and negotiations after the kidnappers reportedly became trapped inside a reserve forest surrounded by security operatives.
In the circulating video, the visibly distressed Mary identified herself as a staff member of First Baptist Church in Ogbomoso and appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the church, and members of the public to help secure their release.
She said the attackers invaded the school and abducted both teachers and children, adding that the victims were being held under harsh conditions deep inside the forest.
“I’m from Ibadan. I’m working at First Baptist Church in Ogbomoso, Yawota area. Yesterday, the people came to our school and kidnapped both the teachers and the children,” she said in tears.
“We are here, we need help from the government and the state government, both the church, First Baptist Church in Yawota and the community. We need your help so that these people will release us.”
The victim repeatedly appealed for urgent intervention, stating that the children were in distress, crying, and feared for their lives.
“Please help us. We need help from our president. We need help from our state government. Please help us. The children are here, they are crying so that we will not waste our lives,” she added.
The footage emerged shortly after the Principal of Community High School, Esiele in Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, also appeared in a video from captivity appealing to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigerians to intervene and secure the release of abducted teachers and students.
Last Friday, armed men attacked LA Primary School and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esiele Community, Oriire Local Government Area, abducting pupils, students and members of staff.
The attack reportedly led to the killing of a teacher, while the school principal, two vice principals and three teachers were abducted.
In the earlier video obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, Mrs. Alamu, who appeared visibly shaken, said the attackers invaded the school around 9:30 a.m. and took several staff members and students into the forest.
