Eight of the students and two staff of the Nigeria Turkish International School, Isheri, Ogun State, who were abducted on January 13, 2017, have final
Eight of the students and two staff of the Nigeria Turkish International School, Isheri, Ogun State, who were abducted on January 13, 2017, have finally regained their freedom. They were released after ransom ranging from N4million to N10 million each were paid to secure the release of the students and staff. The Police high command yesterday morning had assured apprehensive parents and relatives of the victims, that their wards would be released in 24 hours.
This assurance might not be unconnected with the move of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris who was concerned about the condition of the victims who have been kept at the kidnappers den for 12 days, to personally take over the rescue operation of the victims and subsequent apprehension of those behind it. Soon as news filtered in on the victim’s release, parents of the affected students and the staff as well as other parents thronged the school premises. It was jubilation galore as the parents, teachers and the management could not hide their happiness.
A statement issued by the spokesperson for the school, Cemal Yigit, read; “We wish to inform the general public that the kidnapped students and staff of the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) Ogun state, have regained freedom. The victims were released this evening after a painstaking collaborative effort by the relevant security agencies in the country. The management of NTIC wishes to express our gratitude to the relevant security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the three students, one Turkish teacher, a cook and three supervisors.
“ We also wish to extend our appreciation to the government and good people of Ogun State for their support throughout the difficult period. The role of the Ogun State Government is highly appreciated. Our special appreciation also goes to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Army Staff, and others too numerous to mention for their efforts.”
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun states police commands, Mr Kayode Aderanti, said “We thank God the ordeal is over. Now we can concentrate on bringing the abductors to book.” A staff of the school who craved anonymity said all the 10 victims were released.
“However they were all taken to an undisclosed hospital to determine their state of health and stabilise them emotionally.”
