Abductors Of Lagos School Girls Demand Ransom

SAN FRANCISCO, March 03, (THEWILL) – The Lagos state police command says it is aware that the abductors of three pupils of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, have contacted the parents of one of the victims to demand ransom.

This was disclosed by Lawal Adebowale, Police Public Relations Officer in charge of Zone 2, in an interview with NAN on Thursday.

“We heard that one of the parents of the girls was contacted for ransom by the abductors,” Adebowale said. “We don't have any other information other than what is in the news.”

He also appealed to the public to provide security agencies with valuable information to support efforts to ensure the safe return of the three pupils.

“Mr Bala Hassan, the assistant inspector-general of police in charge of Lagos and Ogun states, has also urged parents and school proprietors to give useful information on any suspicious movement to the police,” he said.

“The public should always have police emergency numbers to call in times of distress. All hands are on deck to get the abducted girls back safely.

“The commissioner of police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, has been on ground in Ikorodu and he has been combing the area with the anti-kidnapping team to ensure the abductors are nabbed.

“Apart from the presence of the naval officers, we also have the marine police on ground now.”

The three pupils – Timilehin Olusa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo – were abducted from their school on Monday night.

The kidnappers reportedly contacted Victor Ayo Olusa, father of the first victim, to demand a ransom of N200m, but there are indications that the ransom may have been reduced to N20 million per student.

Meanwhile academic activities were still on hold at the school yesterday, as students have been ordered to remain in their hostels, with strict instruction not to speak to anyone about the ugly incident.

Also, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule paid a visit to reinstating the state government's resolve at ensuring the safe return of the abducted girls.

“On behalf of the Governor and all of us in the Ministry of Education, we are here to share your pain and off course to see first-hand what happened on Monday. The Governor has directed that we assure you and the general public that with the combined efforts of all the security agencies that the children, by the grace of God, will be rescued very soon,” she said.