Six students kidnapped from the Igbonla Model College in the Epe Area of Lagos have regained their freedom. This followed talks between the abductors and some government officials from Nigeria’s southwest region.
The boys were rescued in Aboto Creek in Ilaje LGA, Akure, Ondo State at about 3:30pm and are presently in custody of the State Police Command.
Their release comes more than two months after gunmen stormed the school during the morning assembly and abducted the students. The kidnappers had on May 25 2017 attacked the school premises firing gunshots to scare the students and parents.
One of the mothers of the students on Friday afternoon confirmed that the students are on their way to Lagos.
“They have been released. The deputy governor of Ondo state called me and I spoke with my son. They are on their way to Lagos” she said.
Meanwhile the Lagos State Government on Friday expressed excitement over the release of six students of Igbonla-Epe Model College who were abducted on May 25, 2017 in their school premises.
In a press statement, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde congratulated the parents of the students and all concerned stakeholders over the development, just as he said the students would undergo series of medical tests and trauma therapy before they are reunited with their families.
“This is a welcome development and the State Government has always believed that the students would be released unhurt. The news of their release is therefore a confirmation of that belief and we are glad that they would be reuniting with their families,” Ayorinde said.
He said the State government remains resolute in its commitment to ensure the safety of lives and property of residents in the State and has already beefed up security in schools to prevent a re-occurrence.
“It is on record that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration has invested massively on equipment and welfare of security personnel so as to ensure that the State remains safe for residents and investors.
“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,” Ayorinde said.
The commissioner also quoted Governor Ambode as commending the efforts of security agencies who worked tirelessly to ensure the safe release and return of the students.
