Kidnappers Demand N100m Ransom For Ekiti Schoolchildren, Teachers

Kidnappers of five pupils and four staff members from Apostolic Faith Group of Schools in Èkìtì State have demanded a N100 million ransom for their release.

VerseNews reports that the principal confirmed the ransom demand, revealing that the abduction occurred about a five-minute drive from the school when the gunmen attacked the school bus conveying 25 pupils home after school hours.

The victims include two secondary school students, three primary school students, two teachers, a driver, and a bus assistant.

The kidnappers initially demanded N10 million per victim but later called and requested N100 million for all.

Efforts are underway by parents, security outfits, and authorities to secure the release of the victims.

The Aremo of Emure Kingdom, Chief Clement Akinola, has appealed to the state government for assistance and called for the establishment of military posts at the borders to prevent such incidents.

In response to the situation, security agencies have arrested five suspected kidnappers and launched a manhunt for the kidnappers in collaboration with other security organizations.

The killings of two Ekiti monarchs and the abduction of the schoolchildren have drawn strong reactions from the Ekiti State Governor, President Bola Tinubu, and other political figures.

VerseNews understands that the security situation prompted the Senate to summon the service chiefs for what they described as a security crisis. The Speaker of the House of Representatives also called for the adoption of new strategies to address the widespread insecurity in the country.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate-past governor of Ekiti State, condemned the killings and called for an all-of-society approach to addressing the security challenges. Meanwhile, traditional chieftaincy title-holders in Ibadan and the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers expressed concerns about the escalating insecurity and its impact on education.

In a related development, the Akarigbo of Remoland and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers mourned the killings in Ekiti State and urged the government to prioritize the security of citizens.