In a harrowing ordeal, the families of the abducted pupils and teachers from Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure-Ekiti, have expressed relief as the kidnapped victims were freed last Sunday.
The school bus, carrying five pupils, four staff members, and the driver to Eporo-Ekiti, fell prey to gunmen on January 29, who later demanded a ransom of N100 million.
The families, in collaboration with the private school’s management, mobilized efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.
The kidnappers, relenting from their initial demand, settled for N15 million.
A parent, preferring anonymity, revealed that community members, both local and abroad, rallied together, contributing N4 million, while others pitched in to cover the remaining sum.
The negotiation took a grim turn as the kidnappers insisted on additional items, including fried rice, drinks, and tramadol, to accompany the ransom.
Tragically, the driver, refusing to disclose relatives’ contact information, paid a fatal price.
The family source disclosed, “The children told us that when they (kidnappers) were asking for the telephone numbers of relatives, the driver told them he didn’t know that of his wife and the school proprietor’s offhand.
This made them angry, and they hit him with their gun.”
The driver’s subsequent injury led to his demise on Saturday morning, with the kidnappers callously burning his corpse in the forest.
Despite the traumatic experience, the families expressed gratitude to the state government and security agencies for their intervention.
Narrating the retrieval process, the anonymous parent stated, “The kidnappers were calling persistently that we should hurry up.”
The rendezvous point shifted from Ikare Junction to Waterworks, demonstrating the kidnappers’ cunning tactics.
Ultimately, only two representatives proceeded into the forest to drop the ransom and food, ensuring the safety of the abducted persons.
The victims were released, brought to the roadside by motorcycle, and later conveyed by the families.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by communities in the face of security threats and the resilience required to navigate such distressing situations.
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