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We’ll make shocking revelation –Police
Those behind kidnap’ll pay for their crime – Amosun
By Christopher Oji, Lagos and Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Barely 24 hours after kidnapped students and officials of Nigeria-Turkish College, Isheri, Ogun State were freed, the police have arrested a suspected member of the gang that perpetrated the act.
This is coming at a time when Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has vowed to hunt down and bring to book those behind the kidnap.
The suspect, in Army camouflage, it was gathered, was picked by security operatives when he came out of the creek from the Lagos State axis.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone 2 command Onikan, Lagos, Kayode Aderanti, told journalists that the suspect was a member of the gang that abducted the students and school officials.
Aderanti said: “The man was seen coming out from the creek. He is being interrogated. We are going to make some shocking revelation in a couple of days.”
He insisted that the police were not aware of the payment of ransom to the kidnappers, insisting that police’s pressure on the kidnappers forced them to release the captives.
“The kidnappers gave up after they realised that their identities were known by the police. Police rounded up some relatives of the kidnappers and they succumbed to the pressure,” he stated.
He revealed that the freed students and school officials had been examined at a hospital in Ikeja, stating: “All the victims are in good health and the school management on Wednesday took them to meet with the Ogun State Governor. I am not aware if any ransom was paid. Police were not involved in ransom.
“It is complete falsehood to say the police didn’t do anything to rescue the victims. It is wrong for anyone to say the police took glory for what it didn’t do. I think the problem the Nigeria Police face is that of lack of trust and poor perception.
“Myself and my team haven’t slept in days because of this issue. We were working day and night and so many relatives of the kidnappers were held. We mounted so much pressure on them. The Inspector General of Police deployed so many special forces and gadgets to ensure the rescue of the victims. The kidnappers knew that their cover had been blown. Already, we have arrested one of the kidnappers, who fled the creek. More revelations would be made soon.
“On our side, we are putting in place strategies to contain such issues. I have had meetings with strategic commanders for about two hours today (yesterday). We have invigorated marine patrol with more boats on the waterways to intercept criminals. There are so many things the police would unfold. Even the schools have their blames, but I can assure you it would no longer be business as usual. These schools must ensure that security measures are put in place.”
The AIG said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has given the police marching order to arrest all those involved in the kidnapping.
“We are working day and night to arrest all those involved, so that the nonsense will stop. All security measures must be applied to stop the rate of kidnapping in Lagos and Ogun States.
“The children are in good shape, but they were traumatised. They were really traumatized and their parents too. I feel for them and that is why I will make sure that kidnapping will be fought with all strategies and equipment at my disposal.”
Meanwhile, Governor Amosun has promised that the kidnappers will pay for their crime.
Speaking when he received the freed students, their parents and school officials, he stated: “We will go after these criminals, hunt them down and I assure you that your abductors will pay for the crime they have committed. We don’t want people to have the feelings that Ogun is not safe, hence, the perpetrators of this crime will not go unpunished.”
He congratulated the school and parents for the safe return of the abductees, while revealing that he was in constant communication with President Buhari on the issue.
Said he: “I congratulate the school and felicitate with the parents on the safe return of their staff and the kids. I can imagine the trauma you would have gone through. Sincerely, everybody was worried and I, personally, became worried when the rescue efforts were taking longer than necessary.
“When the issue happened, I was not around, but when I was informed, I called the attention of Mr. President to it. Even on Sunday, I still spoke with him and we had hoped that by Monday, they would be released. I mounted serious pressure on the police; I met with security agencies involved in the rescue operation more than five time; when the AIG came here on Tuesday, he assured that in the next 24 hours, the abducted will be released and I am happy they are all back with us alive.”
Noting that the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims was a good birthday gift for him, Amosun said issues of kidnappers will, henceforth, be handled and treated like that of Boko Haram. He added the state would re-jig the security arrangement around schools, especially those with boarding facilities.
The governor said mapping of schools will be done and other tighter security measures would be put in place to prevent such occurrence, while urging private school owners to collaborate with the state government on proper security arrangement.
Earlier, while presenting the freed students and school officials to Governor Amosun, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ililyasu, accompanied by the Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier-General Basil Adonikwe and the State Director of DSS, Kabiru Sanni, said with the support of the state government and the resolute stance of the police, the identities of the hoodlums were uncovered 24 hours after the victims were abducted.
The CP added that the combined efforts of the military, DSS and the intelligence response system of the police, further tightened the noose around the kidnappers, hence, the eventual release of the victims.
He, however, disclosed that during the rescue operation, a high profile suspect was arrested, while noting further that the kidnap operation was of high scale and that investigations were still ongoing.
In his remark, the Managing Director of the college, Mr. Orhan Kertim, said it had been difficult and sleepless 12 days and lauded the parents of affected students for their solidarity and understanding.
He commended President Muhammadau Buhari and Governor Amosun for their quick responses to the abduction, while he also lauded the military, police and other security agencies for their efforts in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Steve Nwosu thanked the state government, security agencies and everybody involved in the rescue operation.
“I want to thank everybody who was involved in this rescue efforts. We are all happy that things turned out well, irrespective of any misgivings anybody might have. What matters is that the kids are back with us safe. I pray that nobody would experience what we did.”
