"Ransom Demands Escalate: N100 Million Sought for Abducted Ekiti Schoolchildren and Teachers"

Kidnappers have demanded a N100 million ransom for the release of five pupils and four staff members from the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools in Emure, Ekiti.

The principal, Boje Olanireti, confirmed the ransom in an interview with PUNCH on Tuesday.

The persistent wave of abductions in Nigeria poses a formidable challenge for security agencies, grappling with daily cases recorded nationwide. Schools, once considered sanctuaries for learning, have become prime targets for criminals seeking financial gains through ransom payments. The incident at Apostolic Faith Group of Schools is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the educational system, with both students and educators becoming victims of this alarming trend.

Boje Olanireti, the principal of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, confirmed the distressing news of the N100 million ransom demand in an interview with Punch on Tuesday. The chilling reality that such a substantial amount is being sought for the release of schoolchildren and teachers highlights the audacity and brazenness of the criminals behind these abductions. It also raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current security measures in place.

Beyond the immediate danger faced by the abducted individuals, the ripple effects of such incidents extend to a broader society. Parents, already grappling with the challenges of providing quality education for their children, now live in constant fear for their safety. The education system, a cornerstone for societal development, faces severe disruption as families and educators alike question the security of learning environments.

The escalating crisis demands a swift and comprehensive response from security agencies at both the state and federal levels. The protection of citizens, particularly vulnerable schoolchildren, must be prioritized to restore a sense of safety and normalcy. Additionally, efforts to address the root causes of these abductions, such as improving intelligence gathering and enhancing security infrastructure, are paramount to curbing the epidemic.

While the responsibility for combating this crisis lies heavily with security agencies, community involvement and vigilance are equally crucial. Building a collaborative network between local communities, law enforcement, and educational institutions can create a more robust defense against these criminal elements. It is essential to encourage a culture of reporting suspicious activities and sharing information that can aid in preventing and solving abduction cases.

The ongoing abduction epidemic remains a challenge for security agencies, with daily cases recorded nationwide. In a related incident on Monday, gunmen killed two Ekiti monarchs, while another narrowly escaped, highlighting the alarming security situation in the country.

The abduction of the schoolchildren and four staff members occurred when the school bus conveying 25 pupils home after school hours was waylaid by the gunmen in the Emure community in Ekiti State.

Shedding light on how the incident occurred, Olanireti explained that the abduction occurred about a five-minute drive from the school.

She said, “Immediately the school closed at 3pm, and by the time we gathered all the children, it was already 3:30pm. It was that time that they moved. So, 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. The incident occurred just about a five-minute drive from the school to Eporo.

“When the gunmen attacked, the people around heard the gunshots and they came to Emure with motorcycles to inform the people in the school about what happened. We immediately reported to the police station at Emure.

“The students were over 25 on the bus when the incident happened. When the gunmen attacked them, they shot the tyre 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. They, after that, asked others to go.”

Olanireti added, “The five students comprise two from the secondary (school) and three from primary school while the four staff comprise two teachers, one driver and one bus assistant.

“When the parents heard about the incident, they came from Eporo and they have been making frantic efforts by reaching out to some security outfits, including the police and Amotekun.’’

“The security operatives have also been talking to the proprietor of the primary school and he has been giving them information. By the time they opened communication, they first called the husband of one of the teachers and demanded N10m for each kidnapped victim. But when they later called the headmaster, they demanded N100m for all of them.” the principal said.

A family source at Eporo Ekiti, who preferred anonymity, confirmed on Tuesday that the kidnappers had contacted the family of one of the children demanding N100m on the victims.

The source said, “They called the family of one of the school children and they are requesting N10m per victim. What we gathered is that there are nine persons kidnapped – five schoolchildren, two teachers, one bus assistant, and a driver.

“The parents are at Eporo. The bus was taking them home after closing. It was in the process that the kidnappers struck. None of the families of the abductees can afford the ransom.’’

Meanwhile, the Aremo of Emure Kingdom, Chief Clement Akinola, has appealed to the state government to assist in the release of their children.