Update on the kidnapping by alleged militants; No news yet on Lagos school kidnapping – Vice Principal

The vice principal, who simply identified himself as Akinrinmade, told newsmen at the school that the authorities and parents were meeting over the sad incident. Six persons, including the principal, Mr Oyesola, a teacher and four students, were abducted by unknown gunmen from the school on Thursday morning. “There is no new development; efforts are in place by the government and security agencies to secure the release of the students, teacher and principal,’’ Akinrinmade told newsmen in Igbonla, Epe. The vice principal met journalists at the entrance following a ‘’directive that journalists should not be allowed to enter the school’’. There were heavily-armed policemen and Vigilante Group members at the school entrance on Friday. There was also heavy presence of Marine Police by the lagoon within the vicinity. Some residents of the community told reporters that the bushy nature and absence of security operatives in the area made it easy for the gunmen to access the school unhindered. “The gunmen came from behind the school, which is bushy,’’ Francis Olemu, a hunter, told newsmen in Igbonla. Another resident, Mrs Adijat Eredo, a trader, said that the incidence caught the community unawares. “We were hearing spontaneous gun shots on Thursday and this scared the entire community. “People scampered into the bush for safety when the gunshot became so sporadic,’’ she said. There was thick forest on both sides of the three-kilometer road leading to the school. Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, visited the school on Thursday, promising that the government and security agencies would work to ensure the release of the kidnapped. Adebule appealed to the public and parents to have confidence and faith in the security agencies as they work to rescue the abducted persons. “The school was established 29 years ago and something like this has never happened. Now that it has happened, it is so unfortunate and challenging. “As parents and administrators, we are agitated, traumatised and worried, but we need to join hands with the government and security agencies so that we can rescue the victims, said the deputy governor. Meanwhile, search for the kidnap victims continues as the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said he had deployed large numbers of police operatives to locations regarded as flash points in the state. “These flash points will be policed on a 24-hour basis, starting from now on. “Members of the public are to assist in giving timely information about any suspect,” Owoseni said.