There were open displays of emotion on
Friday as the parents of the pupils of the Lagos State Model College,
Igbonla, Epe, who were abducted on May 25, 2017, reunited with their
children following their release after 64 days in captivity.
Friday as the parents of the pupils of the Lagos State Model College,
Igbonla, Epe, who were abducted on May 25, 2017, reunited with their
children following their release after 64 days in captivity.
The pupils – Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon,
Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf – arrived
at the Lagos State Deputy Governor’s office in Alausa, Ikeja from Ondo
State around 9 pm.
Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf – arrived
at the Lagos State Deputy Governor’s office in Alausa, Ikeja from Ondo
State around 9 pm.
But a security source told Saturday PUNCH that the kidnappers collected N5m on Tuesday, adding that the fresh payment led to the release of the children.
According to the source, the fresh payment brought the total ransom paid to the kidnappers to N37m.
Twenty suspected kidnappers of the
pupils were killed in gun duels with security operatives in the events
leading to the release of the pupils on Friday.
pupils were killed in gun duels with security operatives in the events
leading to the release of the pupils on Friday.
It was learnt that one civilian
volunteer (local vigilante), who fought on the side of the security
agents, was also killed, while eight policemen and four other volunteers
sustained injuries in the shoot-outs.
volunteer (local vigilante), who fought on the side of the security
agents, was also killed, while eight policemen and four other volunteers
sustained injuries in the shoot-outs.
The police said one of the members of the kidnap gang, who collected ransom on behalf of the gang, was also arrested.
The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr.
Idiat Adebule, who received the children in her office in Alausa, Ikeja
on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the state government would
use the holiday period to intensify security in public schools before
the next term begins.
Idiat Adebule, who received the children in her office in Alausa, Ikeja
on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the state government would
use the holiday period to intensify security in public schools before
the next term begins.
The pupils were expected to have arrived earlier but their arrival was delayed by heavy traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The children were said to have been
dropped at Aboto Creek in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State
by some members of the gang at about 12 pm and moved to the office of
the state’s deputy governor.
dropped at Aboto Creek in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State
by some members of the gang at about 12 pm and moved to the office of
the state’s deputy governor.
Adebule received the children in Lagos
along with the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, and his
deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi.
along with the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, and his
deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi.
She said, “I will like to commend the
police and other security agencies for ensuring that the children are
back. We plan to have comprehensive medical check-up on the children and
they will be debriefed in collaboration with other stakeholders.
police and other security agencies for ensuring that the children are
back. We plan to have comprehensive medical check-up on the children and
they will be debriefed in collaboration with other stakeholders.
“We are going back to the drawing board
to ensure that all that needs to be done in terms of security before the
resumption of schools is done.”
to ensure that all that needs to be done in terms of security before the
resumption of schools is done.”
Akeredolu said combined efforts of the
South-West governors and security agencies led to the release of the
pupils, adding that the role played by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi
Osinbanjo, was incisive.
South-West governors and security agencies led to the release of the
pupils, adding that the role played by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi
Osinbanjo, was incisive.
The Commissioner, Lagos State Police
Command, Fatai Owoseni, said 20 members of the gang involved in the
abduction of the pupils were killed in gun duels with security
operatives.
Command, Fatai Owoseni, said 20 members of the gang involved in the
abduction of the pupils were killed in gun duels with security
operatives.
He said two of them were ringleaders identified as Bright Adeniyi and Oniwe Iyelabo, aka America.
He said, “The response to the kidnap was
swift as much as possible, which led to curtailing the gang within a
specific location. Adeniyi led the abduction of the children. He met his
Waterloo along with 16 others shortly after the abduction during a gun
duel with security agents.
swift as much as possible, which led to curtailing the gang within a
specific location. Adeniyi led the abduction of the children. He met his
Waterloo along with 16 others shortly after the abduction during a gun
duel with security agents.
“America and two others were killed on
July 18 when they attempted to invade a marine police post. The suspect
that swindled the parents has been arrested.”
July 18 when they attempted to invade a marine police post. The suspect
that swindled the parents has been arrested.”
Owoseni was however silent on the ransom
paid to the kidnappers, saying dwelling on it would glamorise
kidnapping. Journalists were also prevented from talking to the pupils.
paid to the kidnappers, saying dwelling on it would glamorise
kidnapping. Journalists were also prevented from talking to the pupils.
Some parents of the children, who spoke
with our correspondent in Lagos, who could not hide their joy, said they
were excited by the news of their children’s release after over two
months in captivity.
with our correspondent in Lagos, who could not hide their joy, said they
were excited by the news of their children’s release after over two
months in captivity.
Philips’ father, Dapo Adesegha, said,
“It was unbelievable. I am very excited. Our sorrow is over. I have been
receiving so many calls and congratulatory messages from people. We
appreciate everybody that stood by us.”
“It was unbelievable. I am very excited. Our sorrow is over. I have been
receiving so many calls and congratulatory messages from people. We
appreciate everybody that stood by us.”
Another parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said after hearing the news, he celebrated with two bottles of beer.
“I am someone who likes fun, but I had
to refrain from having fun since the children were abducted. But after I
heard the news, I went to a hotel near my house and had a good delicacy
with two bottles of beer. I am extremely happy,” he said.
to refrain from having fun since the children were abducted. But after I
heard the news, I went to a hotel near my house and had a good delicacy
with two bottles of beer. I am extremely happy,” he said.
Isiaq’s father, Morufu Ramon, said, “I
am the happiest person on earth right now. When I called the Lagos State
Commissioner of Police to confirm the news, he said, ‘Congratulations,
they have been released’. Our sorrow is over. I have spoken with my
child on the telephone. He said he was fine. He said, ‘Congratulations
daddy.’”
am the happiest person on earth right now. When I called the Lagos State
Commissioner of Police to confirm the news, he said, ‘Congratulations,
they have been released’. Our sorrow is over. I have spoken with my
child on the telephone. He said he was fine. He said, ‘Congratulations
daddy.’”
The source said, “Some parents took the
N5m to Odi-Omi, Ogun State. When it was 8 pm, they came out from a bus
and collected it. The parents were strictly warned to keep it a secret
from the police.
N5m to Odi-Omi, Ogun State. When it was 8 pm, they came out from a bus
and collected it. The parents were strictly warned to keep it a secret
from the police.
“They asked them to tell the police
authorities to keep off waterways or else they would not release the
children. It was the money that led to the release. Together with the
previous payments, they collected N37m.”
authorities to keep off waterways or else they would not release the
children. It was the money that led to the release. Together with the
previous payments, they collected N37m.”
How schoolchildren were released – Source
The six pupils were reportedly released
to a delegation of the Ondo State Government in Ajakpa Community in Ese
Odo Local Government Area of the state.
to a delegation of the Ondo State Government in Ajakpa Community in Ese
Odo Local Government Area of the state.
It was learnt that they were released to the government delegation, led by Ajayi, the deputy governor, by the creek.
According to the source, the pupils might be taken to the Presidential Villa, Abuja to meet with the Acting President.
The source disclosed that the state government had been negotiating with the kidnappers for 10 days.
He said, “They (kidnappers) promised not
to release the kids to any other state except the Ondo State. The state
governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, asked the deputy governor to secure
their release, and they were released to the deputy governor at 1am
today (Friday).
to release the kids to any other state except the Ondo State. The state
governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, asked the deputy governor to secure
their release, and they were released to the deputy governor at 1am
today (Friday).
“Early Friday morning, the militants
released the pupils to the deputy governor between Ajakpa and Igbonla
creeks. The children said they were not maltreated by their abductors. “
released the pupils to the deputy governor between Ajakpa and Igbonla
creeks. The children said they were not maltreated by their abductors. “