Ekiti State Crisis | Kidnappers of Children Demand N100m as Police Made Some Arrests

The scourge of kidnappers in Ekiti State and in Nigeria generally has intensified recently. In this particularly recent case, the perpetrators (kidnappers) behind the abduction of five pupils from the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, and four staff members have demanded a hefty N100 million ransom for their release. Boje Olanireti, the principal of the secondary section of the school, confirmed the ransom demand in an interview on Tuesday, shedding light on the harrowing incident that unfolded on Monday. This development underscores the growing security challenges faced by educational institutions and communities in the region.

The kidnappers struck when the school bus, transporting 25 pupils home after school hours, was waylaid in the Emure community. Olanireti explained that the gunmen shot the bus’s tire and ordered the children to disembark before abducting five students and four staff members. The incident occurred just a five-minute drive from the school, leaving the community in shock. Immediate efforts were made to notify the authorities, with Olanireti emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The demand for a substantial ransom heightens the gravity of the situation, putting additional pressure on both the affected families and law enforcement agencies.

Kidnappers Epidemic Claims Lives of Ekiti Monarchs

Tragically, the escalating abduction crisis in Ekiti State has claimed the lives of two revered monarchs – the Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin. The abduction took place as they were returning from a function in Kogi State, encountering the suspected kidnappers on the highway between Ipao and Oke Ako in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, narrowly escaped the assailants, underscoring the vulnerability of even the most prominent figures to these criminal activities.

The incident further highlights the brazenness of the kidnappers who operate openly on highways, posing a serious challenge to security agencies. The loss of two monarchs, figures of cultural and community significance, amplifies the urgency for comprehensive and strategic efforts to curb the rising tide of abductions in the region. The government, security agencies, and local communities must collaborate to develop and implement effective measures to protect citizens and restore a sense of security.

School Abduction Timeline Raises Concerns

Providing a detailed account of the Kidnappers who abducted the school children, Principal Boje Olanireti revealed that the assailants struck between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm, shortly after the school closed for the day. With over 25 students on the bus, the gunmen fired shots and forced the children to lie down after puncturing the vehicle’s tire. The proximity of the incident to the school premises, being just a five-minute drive away, adds to the community’s sense of vulnerability.

Olanireti’s narrative underscores the swift and audacious nature of the attack, as the perpetrators targeted a school bus during a routine trip. The information provided by Olanireti indicates that immediate efforts were made to alert the local authorities, emphasizing the need for a prompt and coordinated response to such incidents. The timeline of events and the proximity to the school premises raise concerns about the audacity of criminals operating in broad daylight, demanding an urgent review of security measures in and around educational institutions to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Heart-Wrenching Pleas Emerge as Kidnappers Demand N100m Ransom

The distressing aftermath of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools abduction in Emure Ekiti is unfolding as the kidnappers demand a staggering N100 million ransom for the release of the five pupils and four staff members. Principal Boje Olanireti provided chilling details, revealing that among the victims, two are from the secondary school and three from the primary school, while the staff members include two teachers, a driver, and a bus assistant. The gravity of the situation escalated as the criminals contacted the families, demanding an initial sum of N10 million for each kidnapped victim.

Families, gripped by fear and helplessness, have been tirelessly reaching out to various security outfits, including the police and Amotekun, for assistance. Olanireti shared that the kidnappers first contacted the husband of one of the teachers, demanding N10 million per victim. However, when communication was established with the headmaster, the ransom demand skyrocketed to an exorbitant N100 million for all the abducted individuals. A family source from Eporo Ekiti confirmed the dire situation, stating that none of the affected families can afford such a hefty ransom, intensifying the urgency for intervention.

Aremo of Emure Kingdom Appeals to State Government for Assistance

The escalating crisis has prompted appeals for help from the Aremo of Emure Kingdom, Chief Clement Akinola. Alongside the Emure Local Government Chairman and state government officials, Akinola visited the families of the kidnapped persons at Eporo Ekiti, emphasizing the critical need for swift government intervention in securing the release of the victims. Akinola expressed deep concern for the well-being of the abducted schoolchildren and staff, highlighting the unimaginable mental anguish experienced by both the children and their parents.

The appeal underscores the broader impact of the abduction on the community, urging the state government to prioritize the safety of its citizens. The Aremo of Emure Kingdom called attention to the collective trauma inflicted on the children and their families, emphasizing the urgent requirement for governmental assistance. The unfolding situation not only demands the collaboration of security agencies but also highlights the need for comprehensive measures to prevent and address such incidents in the future. As the community grapples with this alarming reality, the call for government intervention echoes louder, seeking a resolution to this distressing chapter.

Swift Collaboration Unleashes Operation Against Criminal Elements

In a concerted effort to purge the state of criminal elements, particularly kidnappers, law enforcement agencies including the police, NSCDC, Amotekun, OPC, and local hunters joined forces for a comprehensive bush combing operation. The operation spanned through Oke-Osun, Ikere-Igbo-Okah, and the dense forest around the Iju-Ikere boundary. The initiative was fueled by a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents in the region.

Police spokesman DSP Sunday Abutu disclosed in a statement that the collaborative effort aimed to flush out criminals and restore peace to the affected areas. The operation, marked by strategic coordination among various security units, yielded significant results, leading to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers: Usman Jelili, Mohammed Bande, Abubakar Aliu, Isah Abdulahi, and Suleiman Abdulahi.

Discrepancies Emerge as Kidnapping Suspects Claim to be Herdsmen

Upon interrogation, the arrested individuals claimed to be herdsmen. However, further investigation revealed inconsistencies in their statements, as none of them possessed any cattle, and no livestock was found in the forest where they were apprehended. The revelation raised suspicions about their true identities and motives.

During the search operation, law enforcement discovered incriminating evidence in the possession of the suspects. Among the items recovered were two motorcycles, one cutlass, one jack knife and dagger, and four mobile phones. The presence of such weaponry and communication devices heightened concerns regarding the potential involvement of the apprehended individuals in nefarious activities beyond simple herding.