Militants who abducted six students from the Lagos State Model College,
Igbonla, Epe, 37 days ago, have given reasons they are yet to release the
students despite
collecting N30million ransom in two instalments from some
parents.
The gunmen who stormed the school in the early hours of Thursday, May
25 were alleged to have collected the second tranche of the N30million, which
is N20million with a promise to release the students in the early hours of
Sunday, June 25. They had earlier collected N10million jointly contributed by
parents with a promise to free the students.
For the second time within a month, expectations of the victims’
families and friends were dashed when the militants reneged again and like the
first instance, closed all lines of communication with the families.
Saturday Sun gathered through a chat with one of the sources close to
the kidnappers that the rumored plans by security operatives to invade the
creeks as soon as the students are released have created apprehension in the
militants camp. The planned military
raid is expected to cover Lagos, Ogun and Ondo creeks.
“From our own information network, we learnt the military and other
security agencies are planning to bombard the creeks through air and land
attacks and we are no fools to just release the students without proper
planning for our own escape and safety. For now, the students will serve as our
shield”, the source who spoke from the militants camp revealed.
He further stated that if the plan to attack their camp in the creeks
is not quickly dropped, the militants would have no option but to relocate
their captives to the more dangerous camps in Delta creeks.
Meanwhile some of the militant commanders in Ondo State who have since
accepted amnesty are frustrated by the continued delay in the release of the
children. “The tension is mounting as America has succeeded in convincing
everyone that he is going to be a strong commander. Many militants who are
opposing his authority especially from Agbala camp are showing allegiance to
America. (Agbala is an ex-militant who has since accepted amnesty and is
allegedly working for Government) Agbala
and some others in Ondo are working with government and they assured them that
they will see to the safe return of the children. Since they have not kept to
their promise, everyone is frustrated. America has officially taken control of
the creeks,’ the source added.
On the possible new location where the children will be taken to, our
source said that plans are on for immediate relocation of the children either
to Delta or Bayelsa. “They are still awaiting the arrival of a strong boat and
well armed men who will escort them. There are still creeks that are safe in
the Niger Delta region where they intend to move the students. They are likely
to be released over there,” the source stated.
Saturday Sun learnt that for more than five days, the militants are yet
to get across to any of the families or anyone concerning the fate of the
children.
According to one of the parents, “We are gradually losing hope in this
country. If they picked up a local government chairman’s child, I am sure that
the current government will do the needful to hasten their release. They have
stopped calling us despite their promise to release the children. We are
begging them (militants) to have mercy on us and release our boys to us.”
When contacted to ascertain efforts by the Lagos State command, the
police spokesman, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole said “the command is working hard on
all clues that will lead to the rescue of the children.” Another senior police
officer in the command who spoke on condition of anonymity said everyone is
simply praying for the safe return of the students. “Our concern is the safe
return of these students. No one is combing anywhere anymore because it is
risky and could jeopardise the life of those boys.
“We will wait for them outside because they are not going to remain in
the creeks forever. If the likes of Ossy, TK, Kelly and Millions are no more,
their current commander popularly called ‘America’ will surely fall one day.
No one is interested in raiding creeks for the security of those
students and other possible victims. One day nemesis will catch up with him
(America) and others.”
After collecting the first tranche of N10m, parents who were anxiously
awaiting the return of their children however got a rude shock when the
kidnappers backtracked as soon as they collected the money. Rather than release
the students as promised, Saturday Sun learnt that they sent a text message to
one of the parents threatening to kill their children if the balance of N40m
was not paid.
In an unedited text message to one of the parents, the militants said:
“Mr man, Our message is dat inform ur other people should look 4 our balance.
B4 any disscusion by next wk Thursday gather the balance or else u people will
cry…” (Mr man, our message is that you should inform other parents to look for
our balance. Before any further discussion by next week Thursday, get our
balance or else you people will cry…).
It was gathered that the militants who initially demanded N400million
ransom had reduced it to N50million.
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