School pupils and staffers of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, who were kidnapped last Monday, have been released by their abductors.
The driver was however killed by the outlaws.
The kidnapped victims were said to have regained their freedom from the kidnappers’ den yesterday morning.
Their release came six days after their abduction by unknown gunmen last Monday along Emure-Eporo Road while returning to Eporo in the school bus.
The kidnap victims at the time of the incident were five students, three female teachers and a driver.
The public relations office of the Ekiti State Police Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, who confirmed their release, however, said that the bus driver had been killed.
Abutu said, “All victims were rescued today at about 1.30am, but, unfortunately, we lost the driver who was suspected killed by the abductors.”
The state police command, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday said: “We wish to inform the general public that the five abducted school children including their teachers on 29/01/2024 in Emure-Ekiti have been rescued successfully.
“This, no doubt, was made possible through the combined efforts of the Police and other security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters as well as the family members and support from the federal and state governments.
“While we sympathise with the family members of the driver who is suspected to have been killed by the abductors while in hostage, the Command vows to continue with the operation and investigation until the perpetrators are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The statement signed by the PPRO Abutu said the rescued victims had been handed over to the state government for medical examination and attention.
When asked whether any arrest had been made, the police spokesman said, “Not yet but the operation shall continue as we want to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
He did not confirm whether ransom was paid to secure the release of the rescued kidnap victims.
Reacting to the development, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security agencies and Ekiti people for their support which led to the timely release of the kidnapped pupils and workers of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, Emure Ekiti.
Noting the traumatic experience of the children in the kidnappers’ den, Governor Oyebanji directed the commissioner for health and human services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, to take the children to the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, for proper medical treatment and post trauma therapy.
Similarly, the governor, in a statement by his special adviser (media), Yinka Oyebode, yesterday said the killers of the two Ekiti monarchs would be fished out and made to face the full weight of the law.
He urged the people of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements in their communities to the authorities.
