The Schoolchildren of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School who were abducted on January 29 at Emure, Ekiti State, regained their freedom on Sunday, February 4 2024.
According to the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, their release resulted from the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who gave security agencies the directives to rescue the victims. However, as part of the intervention, N15 million was allegedly paid as ransom to the kidnappers.
While the driver was reportedly killed and burnt by the assailants, the Governor commiserated with the family of the victim during his visit to the schoolchildren who made it to the State Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti.
Oyebanji, while speaking to journalists at the state hospital, said he would convene a security meeting with the heads of security agencies in the South-Western States.
“I sympathise and commiserate with the family of the departed. I’ve dispatched the Deputy Governor to go to Emure and commiserate with them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti Police Command PRO, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, attributed the rescue of the five schoolchildren and teachers to the successful operation of the security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, hunters, and individuals, as well as family members, especially on what he termed “victim-based” approach.
Read more: Monarch Killings: They were killed because they resisted “Fulani Bandits” – Alara of Ara Èkìtì