Parents of the pupils of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, who were abducted on May 25, 2017, displayed an open emotion on Friday when they 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.
A security source said that the kidnappers collected N5m on Tuesday, adding that the fresh payment which brought the total ransom paid to the kidnappers to N37m, led to the release of the children.
The source further revealed that 20 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, while one civilian volunteer (local vigilante), who fought on the side of the security agents, was also killed, with eight policemen and four other volunteers sustaining 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.
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.
Adebule received the children in Lagos along with the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi.
“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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said his government and those of Lagos, Ogun and Delta made rigorous efforts to secure the release of the pupils.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Segun Ajiboye, on Friday, the governor also commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and security agencies for the efforts in securing the release of the pupils.
The statement read, “We are happy to note the release of the six kidnapped students of Igbonla Model School, Epe, Lagos State as a result of the determined and conscientious efforts of the Acting President, the governments of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Delta states and the security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services and the military.
“In the last few days, the deputy governors of Ondo and Delta states have worked tirelessly to ensure that the students are released. The students will be handed over to the deputy governor of Lagos State for further actions.”
A press statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, on Friday congratulated the parents of the pupils and concerned stakeholders over the development, saying the pupils would undergo series of medical tests and trauma therapy before they are allowed to return to their families.
The statement said in part, “This government has already taken giant steps to secure all our schools, especially those in the suburbs and riverine areas, and we are confident that the steps taken so far will go a long way in nipping a repeat of such in the bud.”
Also on Friday, the spokesperson for the Acting President, Laolu Akande, on his Twitter handle, said, “Congrats to Lagos State Governor on release of kidnapped boys. He worked very hard with FG agencies, Ondo, Delta governments & Nigerian Navy for the result (sic).”
