Parents
of the six abducted pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla Epe, have paid
N31m ransom to the criminals who kidnapped their children, it was learnt.
Investigation
revealed that some parents were assigned to take the money to an undisclosed
place, where they paid to some members of the gang in two tranches.
The
parents were, however, worried that their children had not been released since
last week when their abductors promised to set them free.
The
kids were kidnapped exactly 53 days ago, three days after the gunmen
notified the school management of their plans.
They
broke into a boys’ hostel around 6am on Thursday, May 25, picked 10 Senior
Secondary School pupils and led them to a waterside.
The
pupils were screened based on their family background. While four were
consequently released, the assailants whisked away the remaining six pupils
identified as Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi
Philips and Farouq Yusuf in a speedboat.
The
kidnappers last Sunday promised to release the children.
Sources,
who spoke on the matter, said many parents sold their property and borrowed
from friends and relatives to pay the N31m ransom.
A
source said, “We don’t know what else these people want. The parents are
stranded. The first time, three parents met with them somewhere and gave them
N10m.
“They
demanded another N21m ransom. The parents took the money to the place and gave
it to some gang members. They told the parents that they had done all the
necessary things and promised to release the children in the next two days.
They have been expecting the children since last week.”
One
of the parents said his quest to reunite with his child had increased
tremendously in the last few days as a result of the assurance by the
abductors.
“We
gave them N31m cash. We didn’t send it through a third party and they confirmed
the money was complete. They promised to release our children soon.
“We were confused when we heard that they
demanded another N1.5m before the children could be released,” the parent
added.
The
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole and the
Force PRO, CSP Mashood Jimoh, had repeatedly assured the parents and members of
the public that the pupils would be rescued soon.
Tags
Society