Mixed reactions had trailed the news that the Kidnappers of the pupils and teachers of the Apostolic Faith Montessori School in Emure Ekiti have set free five school children and three staff abducted on January 29,2023.
It was gathered that the schoolchildren were released in the early hours of Sunday morning however, the driver, who was also abducted, was killed and burnt by the assailants.
The charred remains of the driver of the school bus identified as Taye Rasaki were recovered in the bush.
They were kidnapped on Monday evening along Emure – Eporo Road while returning to Eporo after close of school.
The kidnappers shot at the bus and later whisked away nine persons comprising five students, three female teachers and driver among the occupants of the bus.
Earlier, the kidnappers had demanded 10 million naira each as ransom before releasing the 10 victims. It was not confirmed whether the Ransome was paid
The Ekiti State Government through the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, said the pupils and their teachers were released on February 4 and brought to the Elemure Palace around 4 am.
“However, the driver of the school bus was reportedly killed in the custody of the kidnappers,” the governor’s spokesman said.
Describing their release as timely, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support that led to the rescue of the victims.
He also commended security agencies for supporting the state government as well as seeing to the safe return of the victims.
“The Governor while congratulating the children and their families, expresses his profound appreciation to President Tinubu for giving specific directives that put the search and rescue mission on top gear.
“He also thanks the security agencies for their collaborative efforts during the search for the students, just as he extends appreciation to Ekitikete home and abroad for their support during the security situation experienced last week,” the statement read.
“Noting the traumatic experience of the children in the kidnappers’ den, Governor Oyebanji has directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani to take the children to the state Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for proper medical treatment and post-trauma therapy.
“The Governor, who kept vigil with Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele till 3.00 am to ensure the release of the children, acknowledges the solidarity shown by his colleagues governors, former governors of the state as well as religious leaders and traditional rulers.”
The governor also restated the determination of his administration to stamp out crime and criminality from the state by making the environment unbearable for criminals operating under whatever guise.
He stated that the killers of the two Ekiti traditional rulers would be fished out and made to face the maximum weight of the law, urging the people of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities to the authorities.
BREAKING: Driver Killed As Kidnapped School Children, Teachers Regain Freedom
, however, killed by the kidnappers.
The abductees were said to be released in the early hours of Sunday.
A government official at Emure Ekiti, who confirmed the release of the abductees, said, “The abductees are here, the parents and family members are here. I will give you details shortly.”
A source, who also confirmed the development, said that officials of the state Ministry of Health were on the ground to take them to Ado Ekiti, the state capital for medical attention.
It would be recalled that gunmen had ambushed the victims’ bus while returning from school and took them to an unknown location, demanding N100m as ransom.
Confirming their freedom, the Chairman of Emure Council in Ekiti State, Hon. Adebayo Oluwatosin, said the victims are in the palace of Elemure of Emure Ekiti.
He confirmed that the driver was killed while others regained their freedom.
The Ekiti State Police Command through its spokesperson , Sunday Abutu, said: “All victims were rescued today at about 1:30 am but unfortunately, we lost the driver who was unexpectedly killed by the abductors