We killed 20 kidnappers while rescuing Igbonla students – Lagos Commissioner of Police

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (2nd left); Commissioner of Police, Lagos, Mr. Fatai Owoseni (left); Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (right); his Deputy, Mr. Alfred Agboola (2nd right) with the released Igbonla Model College students during a media briefing at the Round House, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja on Friday.

By Olawale Adeniyi

Fatai Owoseni, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, on Friday said 20 kidnappers were killed in the process of rescue of kidnapped students of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe.

The kidnapper where killed in a gun battle with the Marine Police.

Owoseni spoke at a press conference addressed by the Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule along with the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu at the deputy governor’s office, Alausa, Ikeja on Friday.

The boys were released on Friday – 64 days after they were kidnapped in their school premises.

He, however, regretted that one civilian volunteer died during the rescue process while eight policemen and four other civilian volunteers sustained injuries.

He said the police ensured that the boat where the kidnapped students were being kept was safe.

The commissioner added that on 15 July, 2017, the kidnappers tried to seize the gun boat of the Marine Police and that in the process, another gun battle ensued, while one Oniwe Oyelasi, popularly known as ‘Americana’ was killed with two others.

He said the kidnappers launched several offensives, but that the police were able to handle it as the police had been well motivated.

Owoseni praised the effort of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his Ondo State counterpart, Akeredolu for their worthwhile efforts that led to the released of the children.

The CP, however, added that one person who was trying to swindle the parents of the kidnapped students by telling them to drop money in Abeokuta was arrested and is now in police custody.

Earlier, Adebule expressed gratitude to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo for his efforts leading to the release of the students, saying that the government would carry out a comprehensive medical test on the students to ascertain their mental, physical and psychological wellbeing.

She said the state government was working hard to ensure safety of lives and properties in the state, adding that government would ensure that the schools were well policed before the resumption of the next academic calendar.

Also speaking, Akeredolu said the combined effort of the police, Lagos, Ondo and Delta governments led to the release of the students, saying that the acting president also played a great role to secure their release.