Metro
LASG refuses to negotiate ransom with kidnappers of pupils of Igbonla Model College
A meeting between the Lagos State Government and parents of the six abducted pupils of Igbonla Model College, Epe, has revealed the stance of the government which according to reports will not negotiate ransom with kidnappers.
Rather, the state government revealed that it will rely on security operatives to secure the release of the abducted students while also calling on the affected parents to exercise patience.
According to a source, the government urged parents to be calm as security forces work to secure the release of their children.
“Government officials and the parents met today (Monday) and they were assured of the government’s resolve to secure the release of the children without negotiating with the kidnappers. Security agencies are working tirelessly to rescue them safely.
Read also: Abductors of 6 students of Lagos Model College demand N1bn ransom
“The government shares the pains of the parents and is concerned about the safety of these children. We are not folding our arms and we hope they will regain their freedom soon. We appeal to the parents to be patient.”
Two days ago, the kidnappers reached out to the parents of the kidnapped kids demanding the sum of N1billion for the release of the victims in their custody.
According to reports, some of the parents of the students were contacted by their kidnappers who allowed them to briefly speak with their children with two of them asked to pay N400m each, while another two were told to raise the sum of N100m per child.
One of the parents of the students who spoke to the kidnappers said; “They allowed me to speak with my son. I asked him if he was fine and he said yes. They asked me to meet with the school authorities to raise N400m for my child to be released.”
ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, at the time however said the police had yet to be informed about the ransoms, adding that investigations were ongoing.
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Animashaun Ayodeji
May 30, 2017 at 2:37 pm
It is the government’s duty to fish out criminals and prosecute them, not to negotiate with criminals. The Lagos state government has done well.
yanju omotodun
May 31, 2017 at 3:57 am
They have done stupidly because if not for their failure, those children couldn’t have been kidnapped. Provisioning of adequate security in our schools is the function of the government be it state or federal. What is the essence of Ambode creating Neighbourhood agency as security outfit?
Abeni Adebisi
May 30, 2017 at 2:46 pm
The kids are for the parents, not Lagos state, if the parents can raise the ransom, they should go ahead and pay the kidnappers, waiting for Lagos state government may take forever.
Anita Kingsley
May 30, 2017 at 2:51 pm
I can assure you Lagos state government is more reliable and will secure the safe release of the students. If it was the federal government that asked the parent not to worry, I’d have advised them the way you did, but Lagos state government is more credible and trusted than the federal government
seyi jelili
May 30, 2017 at 3:23 pm
But this is highly discouraging , how can they expect the state government to be negotiating with kidnappers in the first place although it’s the lose security of the state that led to the kidnap which is a fault from the state but state paying ransom is uncalled for
JOHNSON PETER
May 31, 2017 at 4:17 am
A caring state can negotiate on behalf of the parents if they cherish the lives of the children. You think if it were to be Ambode the kidnappers kidnapped, the state will not only be ready to negotiate with the kidnappers but will be ready to pay the ransom instantly.