SAN FRANCISCO, October 11, (THEWILL) –Â There are indications that the Vice Principal, a teacher and four students of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla in Eredo Local Council Development Area of Epe, Lagos State, kidnapped last week, have been released.
Sources told THEWILL that the victims were released on Tuesday night at about 10.30pm after the family of the sick abducted student reportedly paid N1 million ransom to the kidnappers.
THEWILL gathered the kidnappers had earlier demanded N120 million for release of the victims, abducted on Thursday morning, but was reduced to N30 million, which amounts to N5million per victim, after several pleas by affected families.
The kidnappers reportedly contacted one of the parents and demanded N20million while another was asked to bring N10million while they assured them of the captives’ safety.
The kidnappers stormed the junior school assembly hall while the children were praying having gained entry into the school premises from the gate of the boy’s hostel.
It was later observed that the kidnappers, numbering over 10, had cleared the waterways, about 100 meters to the school, in order to enhance the movement of their speed boats, a week before they struck.
Residents said there were obstructions such as water hyacinth, mud and dirts which hampered movement of canoes and speed boats around the school‘s area, however, after the incident, it was discovered that the waterways had been cleared.
Story by David Oputah
