Security Agents rescued 5 pupils; Others kidnapped in Ekiti

…As Gov. Oyebanji laments death of kidnapped school bus driver

By Tayo ABIOLA

The Police have announced the rescue of the five pupils, their teachers and driver kidnapped in Ekiti last week Monday morning.

Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced that a combined security team made up of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, NHFSS and Amotekun operatives, Saturday, raided the hideout of suspected herdsmen who last week abducted pupils of a primary school, their headmistress and driver in Ekiti state.

Prince Adejobi said via his X handle, @Princemoye1: “Ekiti: We wish to inform the general public that the five school children, including their teachers, who were kidnapped on 29/01/2024 in Emure-Ekiti, have been rescued unhurt, today 4th February 2024.

“We therefore commend and appreciate the efforts of the government, our Police operatives and other security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, hunters, and individuals, as well as family members, for their understanding and resilience.”

Also a video seen on social media Sunday morning showed the combined team loading bodies dead and wounded bandits into an Amotekun branded Hilux Pick-Up van.

The team was said to have located the whereabouts of the kidnappers, using drones and other high-tech gadgets.

However, the Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti was reported to have expressed sadness over killing of Mr Olugbaye Taiwo, Bus Driver of the abducted pupils of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, Emure Ekiti.

Oyebanji in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, consoled the family of the late driver, assuring that the perpetrators of the crime would be apprehended and brought to book.

Taiwo was reportedly killed by the kidnappers while in their custody.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the school pupils and their teachers were released on Sunday morning and are receiving medical treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

The governor said security agencies in the state had been put on red alert, adding that government would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.