Parents of kidnapped Ekiti pupils said fried rice, black bullets, energy drinks, milk and N15 million were offered to secure the release of their children.

The schoolchildren attend the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools in Emure-Ekiti in Emure LGA.

The pupils and their teachers were abducted while returning home in a school bus after school on the penultimate Monday.

Five pupils and four teachers were kidnapped in the attack. Their abductors demanded N100 million.

After several negotiations, the ransom was reduced to N15 million.

One of the pupils’ parents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “The kidnappers insisted on collecting N15 million on Saturday, and we rallied around the communities, including our people outside the country, to see the ransom. They even collected a cartoon of tin milk, black bullet, fried rice with chicken, soft and energy drinks and tramadol from us.

“We were asked to take the money and the items to a bush in Ondo state, a farmstead called Ago Paanu, at about 7:00 p.m. It was between Oba Akoko and Owo. Before they could release them, they confirmed the money and those items. We walked through the bush till around 1:00 a.m. when we saw the victims.”

Another parent who spoke in the hospital where the victims were receiving treatment said, "The kidnappers were calling that we should hurry up. They said we should meet them at Ikare Junction. I wondered how come Ikare junction when they took the children at Eporo.”

She added, "When we got to Ikare Junction, they said we should buy food, so we went to buy rice and meat. We were about to get to the waterworks when they called that we should turn back, and then the kidnappers described a road that only big vehicles could pass."

The parent revealed that "we decided that all of us should not go there so that they would not think that we came with policemen that could make them injure the abductees with them” and “when we told them we were on the bush path, they said only two persons should come and threatened to waste the children if we did not comply.”

“The driver of the vehicle and one person continued far into the forest and drove back,” she said. “They later trace the kidnappers to drop the money and the food. On collecting the money and food, they released the children. They used motorbikes to bring the kidnapped persons to the road. It was then they called us to bring the vehicle to convey them.”

The parent added, “The kidnappers collected N15 million. We (parents and families) contributed N4 million, and people came to our aid by contributing the rest. Those in the markets also made donations.”

Sunday Abutu, the police spokesman in Ekiti, confirmed the release of the children but told Peoples Gazette he could not confirm if a ransom was paid.

“What matters is that the school children are back safely with their teachers,” said Mr Abutu.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji welcomed the release of the kidnap victims, according to a statement.

“The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, wishes to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security agencies and Ekitikete for their support, which led to the timely release of the kidnapped pupils of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, Emure Ekiti.”

OmoFiditi:
Tinubu and the kidnappers are doing well. Ekiti people voted right.

BeninRefugees:
Na so Ekiti rush go paste Thier Concocted results

I no dey pity anybody

We brought this on ourselves

nairalanda1:
1. At some point, we got to stop paying these ransoms, then when the kidnappers wake up and see there is no money in it, they would immediately end the business.

Yes, I know I am advocating something that is 'bad' and yes, I probably won't follow my advice if (God forbid) someone close to me, or loved one was kidnapped. But at some point, we got to stop giving these people money. The more money we pay them, the more they will kidnap, the more they will attract more people into the business. When would it stop.?

2. We got to fund our police better, and the police themselves should set up a specialist anti-kidnapping squad. It is time we fought this thing fire for fire. Enough is enough. It is obvious this cannot be fought the current way, we got to change the methods of warfare now.

3. Yes it is bad that we got APC again for another 4 years. But, let us put pressure on them still to lead us well. If dem no hear us, dem go see people's wrath on the streets soon. Also, put pressure on your governor and LG chairman. Not to be grumbling on nairaland we go do am.

nairalandkachy1:


https://gazettengr.com/tramadol-fried-rice-energy-drink-n15-million-paid-as-ransom-for-ekiti-students-release-parents/?fbclid=IwAR0EDUkuHkXqsgh6z3sMi7aUyDs-TMyf1_96Tvj0jyWJUGpKl1w1vw86nlY