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Tag: Igbonla

  • Amnesty: Epe kidnappers surrender arms in Ondo

    Amnesty: Epe kidnappers surrender arms in Ondo

    Militants terrorising parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states have finally submitted their arms and ammunition on Monday evening to embrace the federal government amnesty programme.

    The militants were behind the kidnap of the six Senior Secondary School Students of Lagos Model College,Igbonla, Epe in Lagos state, Arepo pipeline vandalization and several attacks in the riverine areas of Ondo State.

    The militants were led by their leader, Ogailo Iborry Young a.k.a O.C to the Collection and Documentation of Arms Centre in their hometown, Ajapa Community in Ese-Odo local government area of the state.

    They willingly dropped their arms and ammunition.

    The event, witnessed by the Deputy Governor and Chairman of State Amnesty Committee, Agboola Ajayi, representatives of Delta State Government, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base, Igbokoda, Navy Captain Usman Yahaya among others was seen by the residents as a way of restoring peace into the riverine area.

    Some arms submitted include: Browning wz machine gun, Daewoo K3, Colt Automatic Rifles, General Purpose Machine gun, Breda 30, Fiat Revelli Modelling, AK 47 Rifles,  Rocket Launcher, CETME Ameli,  Heckler & Koch MG4, Pump Action and some Automatic Cartridges.

    Also, military uniforms, police bullet proof vests, dynamites grenades, bombs and helmets were submitted.

    In his address, Iborry Young appreciated the state and the federal government for the fresh Amnesty initiative.

    He traced the source of their arms to the Ijaw/Ilaje crisis of 1998/1999 and blamed on joblessness, poverty and neglect by government.

    He said “if we may be asked our reasons for embarking on this struggle, our simple assertion to the public and other concerned authorities is that it is joblessness, suffering, poverty, oppression and neglect by the Government”

    The leader of the repentant armed bandits said they decided to dump their oil bunkering business and hatched another game plan to attract the attention of the government.

    According to him, “as it got to this point, we did not find life very easy. Thus, we relocated to Ogun State where the government college Ugbonla, Epe School boys were kidnapped whose release led to the present arrangement through the courageous efforts of the deputy governors of Ondo and Delta states.

    “We did not kidnap these boys for mere ransom but to negotiate our freedom and full reintegration to civil life”.

    Ajayi said the exercise was impressive as sophisticated ammunitions were surrendered.

    Ajayi assured the readiness of the federal government to fulfil its own promise in providing employment and education programme among others for the repentant militants for them to be self-reliant if they embrace peace.

    He rejoiced with residents of Ajapa community for the peace that finally restored to the community after face-off between them and military.

    While urging them to always embrace peace to reign, the Deputy Governor said they need to embrace peace for Oil Company to commence operation in the area.

    Ajayi allayed fear as no one or government will launch attack on the oil producing areas of the state after the submission of arms and ammunitions by the armed youths.

    Also speaking, Navy Captain Yahaya, said the exercise in Ajapa community was more impressive in relation to the record of the exercise since it has started.

    Five militant groups, the Awaja, Ogoolorunyo led by Job, Ebie, Dragon and Atupa camps had earlier submitted their arms and ammunition to embrace amnesty programme.

  • Repentant Militants surrender massive arms, weapons in Ondo.

    Repentant Militants surrender massive arms, weapons in Ondo.

    Militants in the riverine area of Ondo state, who embraced the amnesty programme of the Federal government in the state have trooped out in large number to surrender their arms and ammunition.

    The exercise which started on Thursday has recorded massive turn out of militants in the five collation centers including Igbekebo, Arogbo, Igbonla, Ajapa, and Igbokoda, all in the southern senatorial district of the state.

    Men of the Nigeria Army, the Navy , Police, and civil defence as well as representatives of each militant camp are present at the collation centers to ensure only authentic militants benefit from the program.

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the militants to submit their arms in the area.

    The amnesty program was part of the requests made by the kidnappers of the six students of Igbonla Model School, Epe Lagos state.

    The government of Ondo state who played a major role in securing the release of the students promised to facilitate the amnesty program.

    Deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi who took the risk to effect the release and safety of the students is the Chairman of the amnesty program in the state.

    Already, the repentant militants have been submitting their arms which included pump action, Dane guns, live ammunitions, locally made artillery weapons among others.

    Ajayi, shortly after touring two of the collections  points in Igbokoda and Igbekebo on Friday said he was delighted with the level of turnout of the repentant armed youths who came out from creeks to submit their weapons to embrace the amnesty of the Federal Government.

    He called on those in the hideout to utilize the window of opportunity offered  by the government, adding that whoever fail to utilize the opportunity would be dealt with by the Federal Government.

    The Commanding Officer of the Nigeria Navy Forward Operation Base, lgbokoda, Navy Captain Chindo Usman Yahaya, described the turnout as impressive.

    The Commander however said that it would be difficult to ascertain the number of weapons submitted since the commencement of the disarmament process.

    One of the repentant commander of the armed youths, Osipapa Take Lion, lauded the federal and the Ondo state governments for the privilege given to them to lay down their arms.

  • Revealed: INSIDE STORY of abducted Lagos pupils’ rescue

    Revealed: INSIDE STORY of abducted Lagos pupils’ rescue

    DAYS after the six abducted students of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, in Epe area of the state regained their freedom, facts have emerged about the true circumstances of their release. Addressing the media after the pupils regained their freedom penultimate Friday, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, had claimed that the pupils were rescued by policemen, adding that no fewer than 20 suspected kidnappers were killed during a gun battle with the criminal elements.

    However, a senior security source privy to how the schoolboys’ freedom was secured has revealed that the pupils were released by the kidnappers to the Ondo State Government after intense negotiation with them.

    It will be recalled that the six pupils were kidnapped by suspected militants on May 25, 2017, who kept them for 65 days before they were released.

    A few hours after the news broke on July 28, 2017 that the pupils’ freedom had been secured, Owoseni addressed a late night press conference with information that his men played the most significant role in securing the pupils’ release.

    It was gathered that Owoseni did not mention the role played by Ondo and Delta states, led by the deputy governors of the two states, Mr. Agboola Ajayi and Mr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro respectively, let alone credit them with risking their lives to ensure that the pupils were reunited with their parents.

    Owoseni had said: “The militants, during the encounter, also tried to steal some police and naval gunboats. On the 18th of July, the kidnappers tried to ambush the police and marine post in one of the communities in Ondo State and take the gunboat.

    “The attack was led by the kingpin within that axis, Bright Dabo Adeniye and Oniwe Iyelabi, popularly called America, were killed.

    “Adeniye, who led the abduction and his 16-gang members were the first group to meet their waterloo during encounter with our men. Iyelabi, popularly called America, died during the encounter with the police.

    “In order to achieve swift rescue, we engaged some of the parents, and in the process, we engaged some psychologists who constantly gave us assurance.

    “That led to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, reassuring the parents recently that the children would be rescued alive.”

    Owoseni’s narrative on the release of the schoolboys drew the ire of the senior security source, who described the CP’s account as self-serving, unbelievable and spurious.

    Although the state government has been silent on its role in the release of the kids, security sources praised the efforts of the Ondo State deputy governor and his team for staying for about four nights in the inclement weather of the creeks to persuade the kidnappers release the pupils.

    He said before the pupils were released, the militants contemplated releasing them and abducting the Deputy Governor for higher ransom until they negotiated amnesty with the state government. One of the militants was said to have suggested that the government could pay N2 billion as ransom if the school children were released and the deputy governor abducted.

    The source said that Ajayi and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Donald Ojogo, and an ex-militant, who was the link between the militants and the government, went into the creeks on the order of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) to negotiate with the abductors on the release of the six pupils.

    Giving details on how Ajayi risked his life to enter the creeks in spite of security advice against it, the source said the Commander of the Forward Operational Base of the Navy insisted on escorting the team to the creeks with gunboat. But the militants had warned that they would kill the children if they saw any security personnel in company of the negotiation team.

    The Navy Commander said it would be suicidal for him to allow the number two citizen of the state to travel to the creeks without security details.

    The source said it was the assurance given by the deputy governor that made the Navy Commander to allow him to travel without any security escort. The Navy and the security details of the Deputy Governor had to stay at Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area for the three-man team.

    The source said the team traveled for over five hours in the creeks before the militants appeared to them. He said it would have been suicidal if they had gone with security men as the militants encircled them when they got to the creeks between Ajakpa in Eseodo and Ugbonla in Ilaje.

    He, however, said the militants negotiated with Ajayi that they should include them in the amnesty programme of the Federal Government, before the school children were released to the government delegation.

    His word: “I want to tell you between man and God that no ransom was paid as far we are concerned here. I don’t know where the issue of fresh N5 million ransom came in.

    “The governor directed the deputy governor to go and meet with the boys (abductors) to talk to them. You know the deputy governor is from Eseodo Local Government, so he knows the terrain (the creeks). The deputy governor went into the creeks with one of his aides known as Donald Ojogo, without any security aide because the militants warned them not to come to them with security men. They said if they came with security, they would kill the pupils.

    “They also warned the government to evacuate all the gunboats of the navy and the police from the waterways in Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states.

    “They spoke with the Deputy Governor in pidgin English. They told him they were indigenes of Ondo State and they wanted to be included in the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

    “They said if the government included them in its amnesty programme, they would drop their arms and leave the creeks. The government did not pay a dime as ransom. Anybody that is saying they paid is not being truthful. It was after their release that the security agencies were informed.

    “It got to a stage that the deputy governor gave himself up in exchange for the children. This was just after he was asked to raise up his hands in symbol of absolute surrender to the militants in their territory.”

    The source said the pupils had got used to their abductors during their stay in the creeks. He said one of the pupils had become a general and was referred to as General Saka, as he was the leader of the pupils in captivity.

    An impeccable source revealed to The Nation that the deputy governor of Delta State and his wife, who hails from the area, intervened to convince the abductors to drop their arms and release the kids.

    It will be recalled that the states in the South West had earlier met at a meeting in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Monday, July 24, 2017, to discuss matters of interest, including the worsening security issues in the zone.

    Rising from the meeting, the governors vowed to work together on security issues affecting the zone. The release of the boys, it was gathered, was a fallout of the meeting.

    Contacted, the Lagos State Police spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole insisted that the police were fully involved in the rescue operation.

    He said: “From inception till their release, we were involved and we are glad we got them back to their families.”

  • Igbonla kids: Lawmaker hails Ambode, Akeredolu, Lagos police chief

    Hon. Wale Raji representing Epe federal constituency at the House of Representative has hailed Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni for the release the kidnapped Igbonla school children.

    Raji also thanked Governor Akinwumi Ambode and his Ondo state counterpart, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for their swift actions in ensuring that the children were released alive.

    He said: “I will like to seize this opportunity to appreciate the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr Fatai Owoseni for his unrelenting effort to secure the release of these schools children. Likewise I want to appreciate his Excellency Mr Akinwumi Ambode, the governor of Lagos State and his counterpart from Ondo State Mr Akeredolu for their swift actions in ensuring that the children were released alive.

    “I will like to beg Nigerians to believe in this government and let’s all remember that security of life and properties should not be left on the shoulder of government alone. We should all rise to the clarion call and support government on every of its moves to secure a better Nigeria.

    “However, I will like to charge His Excellency Mr Akinwumi Ambode to please intensify more effort to secure the people living in riverine areas of Lagos State. Recently, a residence in Ise Town was kidnapped for 35 days and latter, like 5 other people were abducted and no one knows their location up till this moment but I believe if a well-equipped marine police station is established in ISE TOWN in Ibeju Lekki, it will serve a great security purposes for people living in the riverine border town of the Lagos and Ogun state.

    “However let our public schools be more secured to avoid future occurrence.”

  • Mum: I visited mountain to seek release of Igbonla Six

    Mum: I visited mountain to seek release of Igbonla Six

    It was testimony time yesterday for mother of one of the six freed pupils of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe.

    Mrs. Ajoke Yusuf, mother of Faruk, who was released with his mates on Friday after 65 days in captivity, told the congregation that she fasted and prayed on the mountain for three days.

    She shared her testimony at the World Bible Church in Itire, Lagos with the congregation joining her to thank God.

    According to her, she went to Ori-Oke Agelu in Oyo State, to seek God’s intervention, calling the children’s names one after the other.

    Farouk, Isiaka Ramon, Pelumi Philips, Peter Jonas, Adebanjo George and Judah Agbaosi were abducted from their dormitories on May 25 by gunmen clad in police uniform.

    They were released on Friday at an Ondo Creek.

    Although Mrs Yusuf denied The Nation access to her son, she recounted some of the things he told her.

    She said: “It is not true that the kidnappers taught them how to shoot. My son said the kidnappers never interacted with them. He said they were not in the same shanties with the kidnappers.

    “He said the second place they were taken to was close to the water and built with sticks and leaves. He said that two children fell sick and they were given tablets. That no one was taken to any hospital.

    “He said the kidnappers didn’t treat them well initially and also starved them. He said they changed and started being nice to them. He said that they usually supplied their ingredients and that it was him and Pelumi Philips that were in charge of cooking.

    “I am happy he has come back. I am alive now and I give all the glory to God.”

    The church’s Assistant pastor, Adeboye Shotunbo, urged the government to avert a recurrence of such an incident. He called for improved security on schools.

  • Igbonla kidnap : It has been 65 days of trauma-Parents

    Igbonla kidnap : It has been 65 days of trauma-Parents

    Parents of the six kidnapped students of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, were hugely relieved on Friday reuniting with them, after more than two months of anxiety.

    The reunion came exactly 65 days after the students were captured from their school by armed abductors, 20 of whom were killed in a gun duel with the police on Friday, in the creeks of Ondo State.

    The freed boys are Peter Jonah, Isiaka Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf.

    Mr Moruf Ramon, whose 19-year-old son, Isiaka, was among the rescued students commended the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Police for their efforts.

    “’I am so happy with what is happening today and I want to appreciate the Lagos State Government and the Commissioner of Police for all they have done to secure the release of our children.

    “’I have been the one talking with the kidnappers all the time and the police were always with us to get information that could help to facilitate the rescue operations.

    “We pray that this kind of incident will not occur again in Lagos State or even Nigeria as a whole,’’ he said.

    Mrs Beatrice Jonah, said it had been a traumatic experience for her family.

    According to her, the experience is very difficult to describe as it is better imagined than experienced.

    “When I spoke to my son after the abduction, I was weeping because I was afraid for his life.

    “To me it has been 65 days of trauma but we thank God he is back safely,’’ she said.

    The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, who received the students on behalf of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, commended the efforts of the security agencies and the intervention of the Federal Government.

    “We commend the efforts of the Nigerian Police, particularly, the Lagos Command and other security agencies for their efforts in ensuring the safe return of these children.

    “We commend the Ondo State Governor and his deputy for their support and collaboration toward the rescue operation.

    “We appreciate the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his invaluable intervention in ensuring that we have these children brought back to us,’’ she said.

    Adebule said that debriefing and comprehensive medical checks would be carried out on the students to help them get over the experience.

    “’Now that the children are back, the government will commence a comprehensive checkup on these children — physically, mentally and psychologically. This is very necessary.

    “And in debriefing them, we will be involving other stakeholders, including their parents to ensure that it is effective.

    “’We appreciate that 64 days was a long time to get these children back but it was in the interest of their safety,’’ she said.

    “’As a government, we will continue to work diligently to ensure the security of lives and property in the state. It is a must for us to deliver on the issue of security.

    “As for security in our schools, we are working and putting all necessary measures in place before the resumption of schools for the next session,’’ she said.

    Adebule also commended the parents and families of the students for their confidence in the state government.

    Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, who accompanied the students to Lagos with his Deputy, Mr Alfred Agboola, said the Igbonla Kidnap was a major issue at the National Executive Council meeting in Abuja in June.

    Akeredolu said it was also an issue at the South-West Governors’ meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun, where Ambode said there was the need for an increased joint security patrol of the riverine areas.

    “’We must appreciate the role of the Acting President in this matter because he was the first person that contacted us in Ondo last month. Gov. Ambode was also in touch all the time.

    “We promised them that we will make efforts, but then we did not believe that these children could be in the creeks of Ondo.

    “’My Deputy, however, waded into the matter because he is from the creeks.

    “In collaboration with the Delta Government, the Navy, Army and Marine Police, we did all that was humanly possible to secure the release of the students,’’ he said.

    Akeredolu pledged to ensure increased security in his state in collaboration with others that shared borders with Ondo.

    “Ondo State has Zero tolerance for crime. You cannot use our creeks as safe haven for crimes anymore,’’ he warned.

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, commended the South-West government for their joint efforts and support in ensuring the rescue of the students.

    “’This is one operation that will send fear to criminals as they will know that our governments in the South-West are committed to security and there will be no place for criminals in the region.

    “’During the course of the operation, 20 of the kidnappers, including the leader of that kidnap, Bright Adeniyi, were killed when they ambushed the operatives of the marine police and civilian volunteers.

    “We lost a civilian volunteer, while four were wounded. Eight policemen were also injured and all these people are receiving medical treatment under the care of the state government.

    “So far, we have arrested one suspect who has been swindling the parents of the children.

    He was arrested in Abeokuta when he asked the parents to drop some money. I’m sure others will be arrested soon and they will face the full wrath of the law,’’ he said.

    Owoseni promised that the police would not relent in its efforts to secure and protect the lives of citizens. (NAN)

  • Igbonla: MSSN rejoices, wants culprits jailed

    THE Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has congratulated the parents of rescued Lagos pupils. Its Amir (President), Dr Saheed Ashafa in a statement last night hailed the security operatives for their maturity in ensuring the safe release of the pupils.

    The Muslim students’ leader, however, urged security operatives to ensure the culprits were arrested and punished. He said: “It is glorious to say that after 64 days of heightened pressure on the police and other security operatives to secure the release of the students earlier than now, there is a success story at the end.

    “We should also commend the professionalism and maturity displayed by the police that brought this huge relief that climaxed the whole experience at the end of the day. The police must bring the culprits to justice. This is important to serve as deterrence to other ill-minded individuals planning to engage in the condemnable act of kidnapping.” He urged the Lagos State government to create avenues that would relieve the kidnapped pupils of the ‘horrible’ experience they must have gone through.

  • BREAKING: Police rescue Igbonla school pupils

    BREAKING: Police rescue Igbonla school pupils

    Operatives of The Nigeria Police have on Friday rescued School students who were kidnapped  Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, Lagos State.

    The boys were released at Aboto Creek in Ilaje LGA, Ondo State at about 3:30pm.

    They will soon be reunited with their families.

    Recall that the operatives of the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), on May 31st arrested three suspected members of the gang that kidnapped the six pupils.

    It was gathered that IRT operatives led by Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) arrested the three suspects who left the creek and went to Edo State to visit a gang member who was injured during gun battle with security forces.

    Similarly, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode had told pupils at a parade to mark this year’s Children’s Day at the Agege Stadium in May, that the government would do all within its power to get the children out of the kidnappers’ den unhurt.

  • Igbonla: Parents lament their woes

    Parents of the six pupils kidnapped from Lagos State Model College, Igbonla in Epe have resigned to fate following their wards’ continued detention.

    The parents now read updates about their children from the media since the kidnappers stopped communicating with them.

    Yusuf Farouk, Ramon Isiaka, Pelumi Philips, Peter Jonas, Adebanjo George and Judah Agbaosi were whisked away from their hostels – Yellow and Green houses – on May 25, by gunmen clad in police uniform.

    Despite paying N10million ransom, the gunmen have continued to detain the pupils.

    Three of the parents in separate interviews with our Correspondent said they were disturbed by reports that the kidnappers said they would not release their children.

    A parent said: “We have not heard anything from the kidnappers since they collected the N10million and told us to go and get more money. They have stopped contacting us since then. I do not know where those who reported that the kidnappers have threatened to relocate our children to Niger Delta got their information.

    “I think the police should invite them for questioning. Maybe, they are in touch with the kidnappers. I read it online that the kidnappers said they will not release our children. That the police were after them and so, they are using the children as shield and will move them to Niger Delta.

    “I am so tired. We all are tired. It is over 40 days now and we do not even know what is happening to the children. We have prayed, consulted and now, we are only waiting. We hope that our children’s case does not turn to another Chibok Girls.”

    Another parent urged those spreading false information to be sensitive to their plights.

    “A friend told me yesterday (Sunday) that there was a story that the kidnappers would relocate the boys. He said the kidnappers said they will not release them and I was surprised. I asked him how the people who wrote the story heard. They should stop aggravating our pains. We have not heard from the kidnappers and we are praying that our kids return home safely. All we can do now is wait. We are all confused. We haven’t heard from them.”

    Meanwhile, there is an online campaign with the hashtag #Free6LagosBoys on Instagram canvassing their release and also praying for them.

    It was gathered that since June 19, a six minute daily prayer, which begins at 6pm is held on their behalf.

    So far, the police have maintained silence on efforts being made to rescue the pupils, insisting that such comments could jeopardise their rescue operations.

  • Igbonla: Parents helpless as pupils mark 41 days with kidnappers 

    Igbonla: Parents helpless as pupils mark 41 days with kidnappers 

    Parents of the six pupils kidnapped from Lagos State Model College, Igbonla in Epe have resigned to fate following their wards’ continued detention.

    The parents who now see updates on the state of affairs about their children from the media, wondered the source of the news, since the kidnappers had stopped communicating with them.

    Yusuf Farouk, Ramon Isiaka, Pelumi Philips, Peter Jonas, Adebanjo George and Judah Agbaosi were whisked away from their hostels- Yellow and Green houses- on May 25, by gunmen clad in police uniform.

    Despite N10million ransom raised by the parents and paid to the kidnappers, the criminals have continued to detain the pupils.

    Three of the parents in separate interviews with our Correspondent said they were disturbed by reports that the kidnappers said they would not release their children.

    The parents, whose names would not be mentioned for obvious reasons, said the kidnappers have remained incommunicado for several weeks, adding that they were all confused and tired.

    One said: “We have not heard anything from the kidnappers since they collected the N10million and told us to go and get more money. They have stopped contacting us since then. I do not know where those who reported that the kidnappers have threatened to relocate our children to Niger Delta got their information.

    “I think the police should invite them for questioning. Maybe, they are in touch with the kidnappers. I read it online that the kidnappers said they will not release our children. That the police werw after them and so, they are using the children as shield and will move them to Niger Delta.

    “I am so tired. We all are tired. It is over 40 days now and we do not even know what is happening to the children. We have prayed, consulted and now, we are only waiting. We hope that our children’s case does not turn to another Chibok Girls.”

    Another parent, who also said they haven’t heard from the kidnappers, urged those spreading false information to be sensitive to their plights.

    “A friend told me on Sunday that there was a story that the kidnappers would relocate the boys. He said the kidnappers said they will not release them and I was surprised. I asked him how the people who wrote the story heard? They should stop aggravating our pain. We have not heard from the kidnappers and we are praying that our kids return home safely. All we can do now is wait. We are all confused. We haven’t heard from them.”

    Meanwhile, there is an online campaign with the hashtag #Free6LagosBoys on Instagram canvassing their release and also praying for them.

    It was gathered that since June 19, a six minute daily prayer, which begins at 6pm is held on their behalf.

    So far, the police have maintained silence on efforts being made to rescue the pupils, insisting that such comments could jeopardise their rescue operations.