ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The abduction of five pupils and four staff members from Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, has taken a disturbing turn as the kidnappers demand a ₦100 million ransom for their release.
The school’s secondary section principal, Boje Olanireti, confirmed this development, saying, “The incident happened between 3:30pm and 4pm. The school is in a suburb of Emure village, so they were going back home in Eporo.”
On the same day, two Ekiti monarchs, Onimojo of Imojo and Elesun of Esun Ekiti, were killed by gunmen during an unfortunate encounter.
The schoolchildren and staff were kidnapped on their way home when the gunmen intercepted the school bus in the Emure community.
The principal shed light on the incident, explaining, “When the gunmen attacked them, they shot the tire of the vehicle and asked the children to come out of the bus. They asked all of them to lie down. They picked five students and four staff members.”
Efforts by parents, security outfits, and the police to secure the victims’ release are underway.
The principal stated, “The security operatives have been talking to the proprietor of the primary school, and he has been giving them information.” Initially demanding ₦10 million per victim, the kidnappers later increased their ransom to ₦100 million for all nine captives.
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Amid the crisis, the Aremo of Emure Kingdom, Chief Clement Akinola, appealed to the state government for assistance.
He called for military checkpoints along the porous borders between Emure and Ondo State to curb kidnappings and gunmen activities, saying, “Emure is a border town, we have a boundary with Ondo State at Owo through Eporo.”
While the Police announced the arrest of five suspected kidnappers, the state mourns the loss of the two monarchs and seeks justice.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, disclosed in a statement that the suspects were arrested during a joint operation with other security agencies.
He said, “The suspects were arrested by a combined team of policemen, civil defence corps, Amotekun Corps Odua Peoples Congress, and local hunters on Tuesday during a bush combing operation through Oke-Osun, Ikere/Igbo-Okah to the thick forest around Iju/Ikere boundary.
“During the operation, five suspected kidnappers namely- Usman Jelili, Mohammed Bande, Abubakar Aliu, Isah Abdulahi, and Suleman Abdulahi were arrested.’’
“During interrogation, the suspects claimed to be herdsmen, but it was later discovered that none of them had cattle and no cattle was found with them in the forest where they were arrested.
“The following items were found with them in the forest – two motorcycles, one cutlass, one jack knife/dagger, and four phones,” the PPRO stated.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, assured residents of intensified security measures, urging collaboration between the government and citizens.
He emphasized, “My message to all the criminals is that Ekiti State is going to be too hot for them, we are going to get hot at them.”
President Bola Tinubu also condemned the killings and directed immediate efforts to rescue the kidnapped pupils and teachers.
He stated, “President Tinubu condemns this mindless and brutal bloodletting, and pledges that the perpetrators will not escape justice.”
The situation remains tense, emphasizing the need for coordinated security responses and preventive measures in the face of rising criminal activities.