Ekiti: Kidnapped school pupils released, driver killed in custody

The school pupils who were kidnapped alongside their teachers on January 29, 2024 were released after spending six days in kidnappers’ custody.

The pupils of Apostolic Faith Montessori School in Emure Ekiti who were five in number, three teachers and their driver were ambushed by kidnappers while returning to Eporo after close of school.

Reports however, said, the driver who was identified as Taye Raski could not make it as he was said to have been killed and burnt by the abductors and his charred remains were recovered in the bush.

The abductees were released in the early hours of Sunday, a development that was confirmed by Ekiti State government in the South Western Nigeria.

Meanwhile, kidnappers were said to have shot at the bus forcing the driver to stop before whisking away nine persons comprising five students, three female teachers and driver among the occupants of the bus.

Earlier, the kidnappers had demanded 10 million naira each as ransom before releasing the 10 victims. It was not confirmed whether the ransom was paid.

The Ekiti State Government through the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, said the pupils and their teachers were released on February 4 and brought to the Elemure Palace around 4 am.

“However, the driver of the school bus was reportedly killed in the custody of the kidnappers,” the governor’s spokesman said.
Describing their release as timely, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support that led to the rescue of the victims.

He also commended security agencies for supporting the state government as well as seeing to the safe return of the victims.
“The Governor while congratulating the children and their families, expresses his profound appreciation to President Tinubu for giving specific directives that put the search and rescue mission on top gear.

“He also thanks the security agencies for their collaborative efforts during the search for the students, just as he extends appreciation to Ekitikete home and abroad for their support during the security situation experienced last week,” the statement read.

“Noting the traumatic experience of the children in the kidnappers’ den, Governor Oyebanji has directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani to take the children to the state Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for proper medical treatment and post-trauma therapy.

“The Governor, who kept vigil with Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele till 3.00 am to ensure the release of the children, acknowledges the solidarity shown by his colleagues governors, former governors of the state as well as religious leaders and traditional rulers.”

The governor also restated the determination of his administration to stamp out crime and criminality from the state by making the environment unbearable for criminals operating under whatever guise.

He stated that the killers of the two Ekiti traditional rulers would be fished out and made to face the maximum weight of the law, urging the people of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities to the authorities.