Again gunmen abduct six students in Igbonla Model College Epe

*As Lagos CP leads manhunt team for the abductors

A gang of suspected Niger Delta militants have attacked and kidnapped six male students from the Lagos state Model College, Igbonla, Epe.

This development is coming exactly seven months after a gang of militants attacked the school and kidnapped four students and two staff, including the Vice Principal, in October 2016.

The Daily Times gathered that the militants had come through the waterways, gained entrance into the school through the fence at about 4:30 am on Thursday May 25, 2017.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command says it has commenced investigation into the kidnap incident with a view to rescuing the six students.

ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, in a statement in Ikeja on Thursday, said the Lagos state Commissioner of Police had already led a team of officers to the school.

Famous-Cole said the kidnap incident happened at about 5 a.m on Thursday after the pirates/kidnappers gained entrance into Igbonla Model School, Igbonla, near Epe and abducted six students.

“From the visit, it was found that the criminal elements used the Imeru/Iji waterway to access the swampy forest bordering the school and bore a hole on a part of the school fence to gain entrance.

“The dastardly act of these criminal elements is nothing other than sheer wickedness as there is no justification whatsoever to abduct innocent children.

“The trauma being gone through at this difficult moment by parents/guardians and relatives of the innocent children can be imagined.

“We, however, appeal for calmness to enable security agencies focus on rescue operations and apprehension of the suspects.

“The police and other security agencies will intensify all necessary measures towards ensuring safety and security of the good people of Lagos.

“We will appreciate useful information from members of the public, please,” the statement read.

The kidnappers were said to have shoot sporadically into the air, scaring the students who were still in their sleeping outfits, before going straight to the male hostel where they abducted the six boys.
Investigations revealed that the militants who were about 20 had earlier in the week, written to the school, informing the school authorities of their plan to strike.

The school management had promptly notified the Lagos state Police Commissioner, Mr. Owoseni, who was said to have sent his men to take strategic positions around the school.

It was gathered that despite the heavy presence of the police, the militants who had stormed the school premises with sophisticated weapons, overpowered the many security personnel.

Confirming the kidnap in the statement signed by the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Famous-Cole, the police stated that the incident happened at about 5 a.m on Thursday morning.