Suspected former Ijaw militants responsible for the abduction of four students and teachers of the Lagos State Model College in Igbonla Epe have freed their captives.
Government confirmed this in a statement by Information commissioner, Steve Ayorinde, who gave the assurance that the Government would spare nothing until it rids the State of criminal elements.
The kidnapping on 6 October was believed to have been carried out by former Ijaw militants, now on the prowl on the creeks and lagoons of the state.
Ayorinde said the children have undergone medical check-up after which they were reunited with their families.
“The Lagos State Government today welcomed the release of the school pupils, Vice-Principal and Head teacher of Igbonla Model College, Epe, who were kidnapped by suspected Ijaw militants on Thursday October 6, 2016.
“The children are doing well; they have been taken through medical checkup and have been safely reunited with their families.”
Ayorinde, while restating the government’s determination to protect lives and property, however urged residents to be more vigilant, security conscious and report all suspected persons and objects seen within their neighbourhood to the appropriate security agencies.
“The determination of the government to ensure 24-hour security of the State is evident in the huge investment in the equipment and welfare of security agencies, especially the police”.
The Commissioner, however, said that Government has taken adequate steps to stem the tide of kidnapping in the State, noting that in line with the directive of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, plans have been concluded to commence the demolition of illegal structures erected across the state waterfronts and creeks.
“Often times, the incidence of kidnapping are perpetrated through the waterways and as such, these illegal structures provide a leeway for these criminal elements to plan and execute their nefarious activities. This step, we believe, will go a long way to address this menace.
“The State Government has also begun steps to boost community policing with the recent announcement by the Governor that at least 5000 neighbourhood watchers will soon be recruited to improve surveillance across the state, especially at the rural areas,” Ayorinde said.
The Police, meanwhile, said they have smashed a kidnap gang that abducted some residents of an estate in Isheri area of Lagos on 27 September.
The gangsters were arrested by Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT)
Four of the suspects arrested were Natei Okunna , described as the gang leader, James Kegbe, ThankGod Segede and Trust Bourdilon .
They were arrested at different locations where they had gone to spend their share of the ransom.
