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Tag: kidnappers

  • We will eliminate kidnapping, militancy, says IGP

    We will eliminate kidnapping, militancy, says IGP

    • 100 policemen for training, 10 gunboats expected

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris Friday vowed that kidnapping and other armed crimes would be eliminated within a year with the necessary support and cooperation from Nigerians.

    He stated this during a working visit to The Nation’s corporate headquarters in Lagos to solicit support and enhance already existing relationship.

    Idris said that police officers have been strengthened and their morale boosted to combat crimes, just as he disclosed that plans were on for 100 marine policemen to be trained by the Nigerian Navy on counter kidnapping, militancy.

    He said: ‘‘we have strengthened our officers and boost their morale in combating crimes. Evans terrorized people in this country for many years but now we have the notorious kidnapper in our custody. The police deserve some credit from the public. Give me up to a year; I assure that Nigerians would see a different police working to ensure their safety in every nook and cranny of this country.

    ‘‘When this kidnapping crime was unbearable on Kaduna-Abuja highway, I went to the National Assembly and I told the lawmakers to give me a week. Within five days, our men arrested 58 suspects, who confessed to the crimes. More of the suspects were arrested and paraded on Thursday, bringing the total to 77. All we want from the public is support. The police require support and encouragement, because we are human beings too.’’

    The police chief appealed to Nigerians to own the force, adding that emphasis should be placed on causes of crime.

    He said: “We cannot blame the police for the causes of crime. As I speak to you now, I can confirm that we have over a thousand suspects in detention for kidnapping and ritual killings. Then, we should ask why we still have these crimes when we have dozens of suspects? I think we should focus on the causes of crimes and its symptoms, not the agents of reaction.

    “We have plans to develop the marine police. We are going to dominate the riverine areas. When I became the IGP, the first state I visited was Delta State, precisely Tompolo’s hometown. I discovered our presence on the creeks was minimal. I believe we can succeed in dominating the creeks if we have certain things put in place.

    “We need to train more marine police officers with modern techniques and gadgets. We need to buy more patrol gunboats and we are making progress in this respect. Already, we got offer to train about 100 policemen in marine security and a promise of 10 gunboats. By the time we get this done, we are going to start deployment from Lagos because of the rate of crime in riverine communities.

    “We have been making efforts to secure these riverine communities from militants. This progress is achieved due to the activities of the marine police. We are training the marine police to perform better. We are liaising with the Navy in the training of our marine officers. We are going to train more officers in continuous succession.”

    Asked why neither Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu nor the President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) Shettima Yerima were arrested for inflammatory comments, Idris said the National Security Council (NSC) weighed the aggregation of interests after weighing the benefits and disadvantages of certain action.

    He said: “We have the National Security Council in place chaired by the Acting President. We have been meeting and analyzing each of these threat messages from separatist groups. We have to analyse the pros and cons. As you are aware, the police is on top of the situation. You can see every action the police are taking accord with the aggregation of interest by the National Security Council.

    “As an organisation, what we take as paramount is the maintenance of law and order. There was a time we ordered the arrest of the leaders of groups making threat messages. Then, leaders of various ethnic nationalities came to the villa for a meeting with the Acting President.

    “The agreements reached at the meeting made the police to relax on the arrest order. We believe there are certain situations needed to be managed very carefully, so that you don’t bring up tension. We believe the security and safety of Nigerians is paramount. We are assuring Nigerians that there is no person or group of persons that can deny them their rights to free movement in any part of the country.

    In his remark, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Ade Odunewu commended the IGP and his entourage for the visit, noting that it showed the respect he has for the media.

    He said: “This is a friendly visit to our office. This shows the respect police accord the media, especially The Nation, which has reported the police’ commendable acts. We appreciate the visit and the kind words you have said about our organisation. In showing our support to the police to carry out their constitutional duties, we will partner you to enlighten the public on your activities. We have been doing this and we will continue to do it.”

    At the event were Chairman, Editorial Board, Mr. Sam Omatseye, General Manager, Development and Training, Mr. Soji Omotunde, Deputy Chairman, Editorial Board, Tunji Adegboyega, Editorial Board member, Olakunle Abimbola, Acting Editor, Saturday, Vincent Akanmode.

    On the  IGP’s team were Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations, Joshak Habila, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone II, Musa Ibrahim, Commissioners of Lagos (CPs) Fatai Oowseni, Ahmed Iliyasu, David Folawiyo, Shola David, Warren Bassey and Celestine Ogbuenyi, among others.

     

  • Police arrest 31 kidnappers, cultists, robbers

    Thirty-one suspected kidnappers, cultists and robbers have been arrested by the police in Bayelsa State, following raids on criminals’ hideouts and creeks.

    Arms, ammunition and stolen items, including nine locally-made pistols, were recovered from the hoodlums after three weeks operation.

    Among the suspects was 26-year-old Temikiri Moni held for the abduction of an accountant’s wife, Joy Epidi, on July 24, on Imiringi Road, Yenagoa.

    Parading the suspects in Yenagoa, Police Commissioner Mr. Amba Asuquo said the gang, which abducted Joy, called her husband and demanded ransom.

    “Consequently, police operatives swung into action and arrested Temikri Moni, 26, about 22:45hrs in his home at Jimro Street, Biogbolo, Yenagoa.

    “The suspect had earlier called Bogbara Komoko, a businessman, threatening him to part with his N5million or his family members would be kidnapped. The victim has been released unconditionally and the suspect confessed to making such calls and demands. Efforts are on to arrest his cohorts,” he said.

    Amba said the remains of Luke Inedite, 30, who was declared missing at Agura community, were recovered by the police in a pond in the area.

    He said although investigations into the circumstances that led to the killing of Luke were on, a gang of cultists arrested by the police confessed to the murder.

    The police boss said members of the gang were among the cultists terrorising a community secondary school in Azikoro Division.

    He said in an undercover operation conducted by plain-clothes policemen,  James Loveday, an undergraduate of the Federal University, Otuoke and leader of the gang, was arrested with locally-made rifle.

    Amba said: “The interesting thing about this arrest was that on interrogation, the suspect facilitated the arrest of his gang members, namely Suoyo Francis, 20, a member of Greenland Cult and Bimobere Francis, aka Big Smoke, 21.”

    He named others as Sunday Robinson,18; Emmanuel, 20; Imimotimi Wilcot, 27; Gift Koma, 23 and Endurance Paul, said to be the supplier of hard drugs, such as Indian hemp and others, to the gang.

    Amba said a Nissan Coaster bus, stolen by criminals, registered as A 06-05BY, belonging to the Ministry of Education, was recovered by the police.

    He said the bus was snatched at gunpoint with a wooden gun by Ebi-Boy Eperi in Yenagoa.

    The police commissioner said the feat was made possible by the 45 vehicles acquired by Governor Seriake Dickson for the state’s security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo; cooperation by the public and activities of vigilance groups.

  • Police arrest 31 kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers in Bayelsa

    Police arrest 31 kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers in Bayelsa

    …Recover, arms, stolen valuables

     

    No fewer than 31 suspected kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers have been arrested by the police in Bayelsa State following raids of criminal hideouts and creeks in the state.

    Arms, ammunition and stolen items including nine locally-made pistols were recovered from the hoodlums after three-week operation.

    Among the suspects was a 26-year-old Temikiri Moni held for the abduction of an accountant’s wife, Joy Epidi, on July 24 along Imiringi Road, Yenagoa.

    Parading the suspects in Yenagoa, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Amba Asuquo, said the gang that abducted Joy called her husband and demanded ransom.

    “Consequently, police operatives swung into action and arrested one Temikri Moni, 26, at about 22:45hrs at his residence in Jimro Street, Biogbolo, Yenagoa

    “The suspect had earlier called one Bogbara Komoko,  a businessman, threatening him to part with his N5million or his family members will be kidnapped. The victim has been released unconditionally and the suspect confessed to making such calls and demands. Efforts are on to arrest his cohorts”, he said.

    Amba said the remans of one Luke Inedite, 30, who was declared missing at Agura community was recovered by the police in a pond at the area.

    He said though investigations into the circumstances that led to the killing of Luke were ongoing, a gang of cultists arrested by the police confessed to the murder.

    He said members of the gang were among the cultists terrorising a community secondary school in Azikoro division of the police.

    Amba said in an undercover operation conducted by plain clothe policemen, one James Loveday, an undergraduate of the Federal University, Otuoke and leader of the gang, was arrested with locally-made revolver rifle.

    He said: “The interesting thing about this arrest was that on interrogation, the suspect led to the arrest of his gang members one Suoyo Francis, male 20yrs, a member of Greenland cult group and  one Bimobere Francis, aka Big Smoke, 21”.

    He named others as Sunday Robinson,18; Emmanuel, 20, and Imimotimi Wilcot, 27; Gift Koma, 23, and Endurance Paul, said to be the supplier of hard drugs such as indian hemp and other illicit substances to the gang.

    Amba said a Nissan Coaster bus, stolen by criminals, with registration number A 06-05BY belonging to the Ministry of Education was recovered by the police

    He said the bus was snatched at gunpoint with a wooden gun by one Ebi- Boy Eperi in Yenagoa.

    He said the feat was made possible through the 45 vehicles recently acquired by Governor Seriake Dickson for the state’s security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo; cooperation by members of the public and activities of vigilante groups.

  • Kidnappers demand N20m to release Ikeja Council Clerk

    Kidnappers demand N20m to release Ikeja Council Clerk

    Gunmen Wednesday kidnapped the Clerk, Ikeja Local Government House, Shamsideen Omotayo.

    Omotayo was whisked away by his kidnappers at Imota, Ikorodu, while he was going to work.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers had already established contact with the local government head of administration, Mrs. Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka.

    According to the council’s spokesman, Bello Onilegbale, concerted efforts were being made by security agencies to rescue the Clerk.

    He said: “This is to inform the public of the Ikeja Local Government clerk, Omotayo Shamsideen’s abduction by some notorious kidnappers at the early hours of Wednesday, August 2, on his way to work.

    “He has however been allowed to speak with his immediate boss and they are requesting for N20million as ransom. Concerted efforts are on to meet up with their demands.”

    Contacted, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) media officer, Afolabi Olawale also confirmed the incident.

  • 20 kidnappers killed during rescue of abducted Lagos students – Police

    20 kidnappers killed during rescue of abducted Lagos students – Police

    Twenty kidnappers were killed, while eight policemen and four civilian volunteers sustained injuries in the rescue of the abducted Lagos School boys on Friday.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni disclosed this while briefing the media on the rescue of the students of Igbonla Model College, Epe.

    He, however, disclosed that one civilian volunteer unfortunately died in the process of rescuing the students.

    The Commissioner  also said that a suspect, who attempted to capitalize on the situation to swindle the parents of the students by asking that they should bring ransom to Abeokuta, was arrested and is currently in police custody.

    He praised the South West Governors for demonstrating clear commitment to combat crime in the region, saying that the communiqué issued in Abeokuta with respect to creation of Joint Security Task Force for the region, is already yielding positive result.

    The State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode hailed the successful rescue of the six kidnapped students and assured that the government would utilise the academic break to reinforce security in all schools in the State, especially in the suburb and riverine areas to prevent a re-occurrence.

    The Governor, who spoke through the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule said he remained totally committed to ensuring the security of all residents especially students and would spare nothing to ensure that schools remain safe from all forms of crime and criminality.

    He said: “The issue of security is a social contract that we have signed with the people of Lagos and we would ensure that we do not disappoint. As far as our schools are concerned, we are going back to the drawing board to secure our schools before the next academic session”.

    Governor Ambode, who commended the collaborative efforts by security agencies from Lagos and Ondo States, specially thanked the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for his interventions towards ensuring the safe rescue of the students.

    Presenting the rescued students to the media, he said they would be debriefed and taken through comprehensive medical tests so as to ensure that they recover from the trauma they might have passed through while in the custody of their abductors.

    Also speaking, Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Ambode for working tirelessly on the matter, saying that the duo demonstrated uncommon interest in the whole process leading to the safe return of the students.

    Akeredolu said he never believed the kidnappers could be hibernating in Ondo creeks until he was told about a month ago during the National Economic Council (NEC) Meeting in Abuja by Osinbajo, and later Governor Ambode, while he immediately deployed his deputy, Mr Alfred Agboola who is from the riverine areas in Ondo, to take up the matter.

    He said Agboola immediately swung into action and worked with the Delta State Deputy Governor, as well as security agencies to ensure safe return of the students.

    While acknowledging the role of Governor Ambode, Akeredolu said: “I must commend Governor Ambode for his commitment to the rescue of the students. At the meeting of Western Nigeria Governors’ forum held in Abeokuta on Monday, we discussed the issue of the students and Governor Ambode mentioned the issue of joint security patrol in our riverine areas.

    “He (Governor Ambode) was very committed to it and he expressed readiness to support with the needed resources. Throughout the days the students were in captivity, the Lagos State Governor never kept his eyes off the ball and he kept working on it until today that we have the students back,” Akeredolu said.

  • Police kill five suspected kidnappers in Ogun

    Police kill five suspected kidnappers in Ogun

    Police in Ogun State on Tuesday night shot dead five suspected kidnappers after a failed attempt to collect a N100 million ransom.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, said this yesterday while  parading  the corpses of the suspected kidnappers to reporters at the Egba Owode Divisional Police Headquarters in  Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.

    Oyeyemi said the kidnappers had engaged the police in a shootout during the rescue of the victim, who had been  in captivity for five days.

    He said the suspects had on Friday waylaid the victim, dragged him out of his car at gun point and took him to a forest, where they kept him for five days.

    The spokesman explained that the kidnappers within the period the victim was in their custody made contact with his family to demand the sum of N100 million.

    Following the development, he said the Commissioner of  Police, Ahmed Ilyasu,  gave a marching order for the  rescue of  the victim and arrest of  the suspects.

    He said the police raided the hideout  in the forest and five of the suspects died in the ensuing shootout. One suspect escaped with bullet wounds.

    Oyeyemi, however, gave an assurance that the fleeing gang member would soon be arrested.

    The victim, Stephen Adesokan, said he was driving on the  Ajura-Ogere road in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area when the suspects accosted him.

    Adesokan,  the  orderly to the Divisional Police Officer of Ibara Divisional Police Headquarters in Abeokuta, said he was full of gratitude to  God and  the command for  rescuing  him.

  • Kogi: Police arrest fleeing suspects, free kidnap victim 

    Kogi: Police arrest fleeing suspects, free kidnap victim 

    The Kogi State Police Command has said that it will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of crime and criminality.

    This is coming on the heels of the rescue of a kidnap victim from the booth of a car, and the subsequent arrests of some of the suspected kidnappers, in Kabba Local Government.

    The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. William Ayah, in a release Friday in Lokoja, said that the proactive measures put in place by the command was already yielding positive result.

    It read: “Through a proactive crime preventing strategies adopted in ensuring that citizens are safe and criminality curtailed, the command through intelligence-led response rescued a kidnapped victim.

    “On the 19th of July, 2017 at about 2230hrs, acting on a distress call that hoodlums abducted one Sunday Amupitan ‘M’ of Surulere Quarters, Kabba LGA of Kogi State, operatives from Kabba Division led by the DPO, promptly moved to the scene while the suspects were racing away from the scene in a Honda Accord vehicle with Reg. No. APP 444 DA.

    “The police patrol team pursued the hoodlums, and in a bid to escape arrest while running, hit three motorcyclists, then abandoned the vehicle and fled.

    “The Area Commander Kabba led a team in combing the scene for clue of identity of suspects at large. GSM handset suspected to belong to one of the kidnappers was recovered. Quick analysis of the phone led to the arrest of one of the suspects named: Ayodele ‘M’ aged 30yrs of Garupa Street, Kabba. On interrogation, suspect confessed to being a member of the kidnappers. He also listed other members of the syndicate of five.

    “Further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect named Tunde Emmanuel ‘M’ alias Eleje of Odo-Ofin Kabba. The victim was rescued from the booth of the vehicle where he was bound and dumped”.

    “Efforts is ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspects. Suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation”, it added.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap UNIABUJA’s Deputy Registrar

    Gunmen kidnap UNIABUJA’s Deputy Registrar

    …Demand N10m ransom

     

    Unknown gunmen on Thursday kidnapped the Deputy Registrar (Institute of Education), University of Abuja, Dr. Nura Lawal.

    Dr. Lawal was kidnapped along Kaduna- Abuja highway while returning from Katsina, his home state.

    He was kidnapped alongside his wife who later escaped from the custody of the kidnappers.

    Mrs. Lawal, who narrated her ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers to members of staff of the university, said their vehicle, a Prado jeep, was cornered off the road alongside several other vehicles that were headed to Abuja, after having being flagged down by the kidnappers near Katari, a village close to Kaduna.

    She said the kidnappers led them to a nearby bush where both their cars and belongings were taken from them at gunpoint.

    Mrs, Lawal, who said she managed to escape from the kidnappers, added that she has reported thee case to the local police station at Katari.

    She said the police told her that they were helpless about the matter.

    Mrs Lawal also confirmed that the kidnappers later made contact with her and demanded a ransom of N50m before they can release her husband.

    Meanwhile the University authorities while confirming the incident pleaded with security agencies and the Inspector General of Police to assist the institution in securing the release of Dr. Lawal.

    Deputy Registrar (information) and Spokesman of the university, Garba Waziri confirmed the kidnap of Dr. Lawal to our reporter on telephone.

    Waziri said the kidnappers has reduced the ransom to N10 million.

    He appealed to the police to facilitate the release of Dr. Lawal.

    “The kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N10 million from N50 million. The family ‎is still talking with them.

    “We appeal to the police to facilitate his release,” Mr. Waziri said.

    He added that Dr Lawal, whose promotion is due for confirmation by the university’s Governing Council  have made several contributions to the growth and development of the university especially in his position  as the Head of Administration of the  Institute of Education.

     

  • Kogi: Police arrests nine suspected kidnappers

    Kogi: Police arrests nine suspected kidnappers

    The Kogi State Police Command said on Monday that it had arrested nine suspected kidnappers and rescued a victim, Pastor Oliver Clement.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP William Aya who disclosed this in a statement in Lokoja said that the suspects were rounded up in their various hideouts in Okene, Ankpa, Lokoja and other parts of the state.

    He said that the cleric was kidnaped on July 9 and rescued from his abductors on July 13, at their Inye hideouts in Ankpa Local Government, adding that he has since been reunited with his family.

    According to him, one of the suspects, Uche Michael was arrested with bullet wounds at the General Hospital, Okpo, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of the state.

    The police spokesman described Michael as a notorious armed robber/kidnapper who recently escaped arrest in Ondo State, saying that the suspect had gone to the hospital for treatment when luck ran out on him.

    He further stated that an old time criminal who had been on the police wanted list for years, Habeeb Abdulkareem was among those arrested. The suspect he said was arrested in Okene.

    Other suspects arrested for kidnapping and armed robbery include Muazu Salem, Mutari Suleiman, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Ali, Abdulahi Idris, Amodu Isah and Gade Garba.

    He said that others escaped arrest but that intelligence officers had been detailed to track and arrest them.

    Aya said that all the suspects were arrested between May 25 and July 13, saying that nine assorted rifles, including AK47, pump action, double barrel guns and pistols were recovered from them.

    Also recovered from them are live cartridges, cutlasses, knives, hammers and charms.

    Aya said that some of the suspects had made confessional statement and were cooperating with the police.

    All the suspects, he said, will be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

  • Keeping kidnappers at bay

    Keeping kidnappers at bay

    The Lagos State government is not leaving anything to chance, following threats by unknown people to abduct teachers and pupils of the Model College in Kankon, Badagry. The government and its community have tightened security in the school, reports ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA. 

    It was drizzling when The Nation arrived at the Lagos State Model College Kankon in Badagry, last Friday.

    A police pick up van with deflated tyres, and no occupants was stationed in front of the gate.

    A few minutes after, a young security officer approached the ‘intruder’, asking for his mission.

    “I understand you, sir,” the guard said in a polite tone, “but we don’t allow anybody to park outside the gate. Since we know whom you have come to see, you can drive in, and fill the Visitors’ Form. Please can you open your boot for me to see what you have inside?”

    A group of armed police officers, who appeared from nowhere, soon joined the guard.  They had hidden themselves in the shrubs adjacent to the gate. They searched the reporter before allowing him in.

    Last month, unknown persons sent two letters to the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) arms of the school threatening to abduct some pupils and the two principals. The letters were pasted on the corridors of the two principals.

    The threat came after gunmen stormed Government Model College, Igbonla-Epe on May 25 and abducted six pupils who were yet to be released by Tuesday.

    It was the second time in seven months that kidnappers stormed the school.  In the first incident, they kidnapped one of the two principals and some teachers.  They were later released.  So, the government, management, parents, and the host community at Kankon are not leaving anything to chance following the kidnap threat.

    Although the faceless group threatened to strike in two weeks, which has since lapsed,  the government is not toying with security.  It has deployed police men and soldiers who now mount road blocks on the Owode/Apa  Expressway.

    Though the government assured residents and parents that it was on top of the situation, The Nation learnt that the parents’ resort to self-help led to one of the two principals being queried.

    A parent, who did not wish to be named, said at an emergency Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting, that parents agreed to pay N2,500 each to assist the school beef up security. However, the government was against it.

    “We discussed this issue exhaustively and concluded that these are our children and, therefore, we need not leave everything about security in government’s hands.

    “The decision was communicated to the principal who also forwarded a letter to the government for approval. But we heard the approval had not yet been granted before parents began the contribution. This is what angered the District. We learnt the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) was here last week and she was not comfortable with the situation because approval had not yet been obtained,” the parent said.

    The Ministry of Education Public Relations Officer, Mr Segun Ogundeji, said the government would not support people hiding under any guise to extort parents.

    “Are you even sure the money will be judiciously used? On the other hand, somebody in the end could say the project put in place is not commensurate with what was contributed. From there, arguments or misunderstandings could break out.

    “And why donate since the government said it is capable of doing it? It’s not as if we are blocking parents. We appreciate their efforts, but we are up to the task,” he said.

    However, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Badagry Division, Hunwhenu Zannu, condemned the government’s action of rejecting the parents’ assistance.

    He said the parents’ gesture was appropriate since they were willing, not that the management compelled them to pay.

    With their effort rejected, a parent said they were forced to depend on the government.  He noted that security had improved in the school.

    The source said: “The government has assured us not to panic. We have also witnessed improved security in the school. We have told them (the government) to raise the perimeter fencing.

    “The school had an event on Saturday and I was there as a representative of the Parents’ Forum. As I drove along, I realised there are  more security posts comprising police, Navy, and the neighbourhood watch.

    “I also seized that opportunity to ask two of my children about the security situation. They told me that the school management is now more conscious. They said the school had redefined its boundaries. They said there are some areas in the school they are no longer allowed to go and any pupil that tries to escape will be caught by the security.”

    Oba Oyekan Adekanmi Ajose, the monarch of Apa Kingdom, which hosts the school, assured parents that the community was watching over their children.

    His Personal Assistant, Mr Solomon Awhanto, told The Nation that the monarch has also intensified community policing with the deployment of vigilante groups.

    He said: “Since we received that letter, we have deployed more vigilantes to monitor every area, particularly the waterways.

    “We have about 30 of them (vigilantes) on ground already but I won’t disclose their identity to you. They work with the police and operate on shift basis. They lay ambush at all hideouts that we know just to keep watch and inform the police of any suspicious movements.

    “The major challenge here is that the vigilantes are not mobile. They also need vehicles to move around. They had always been around even before the kidnappers wrote letters. They are doing a good job. Go and ask the police yourself, they will tell you.

    “The majority of hideouts here are through the waterways and we are on top of it. It (kidnapping) can never happen. Even if it happens, I can bet you those kidnappers will not find an escape route out of here.”

    A security guard in the school said that the security structure would make it difficult for criminals to have their way.

    “You can see police in front of the gate. But after the letter, we now have more of them here. I learnt the government sent them here from Ikeja.

    “But our greatest strength here is our vigilante. As I am talking to you, some of them are here but you cannot identify them. Once it is night, many of them, including local hunters, arrive to keep vigil here and they don’t leave until day break.”

    The source added that the management also employed some guards to watch the school.

    The Nation joined two of the pupils during break who said they had been warned not to talk to strangers.

    “We are aware (of the threat letter),” the duo said, presuming their interrogator was a parent.

    “Each time we hold assembly, they will always remind us that kidnappers said they will come here and that we all should be vigilant. They warn us not to talk to strangers and that we should raise the alarm in case we see strange faces or movements,” they added.

    The Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesina Odeyemi, told The Nation that the government had planned measures to boost security in its model colleges.

    “We will illuminate the compound within and around the perimeter fence.  We also plan to raise the fence and erect a watch tower for the guards to watch the school.  We have started at Igbonla and will cascade it to all other colleges.  We plan to put alarm bells everywhere so if you press it, it will ring all around the premises.  We have also educated the students on how to manage security,” he said.

    On the security situation in Badagry schools,  Zannu lamented that many primary schools lack perimeter fences.  He worried that kidnappers could attack such schools if they fail in Kankon.

    “Abduction does not just happen in a day. The perpetrators must have been planning it for months, if not years. They also have Plan B just in case their Plan A fails to work. That is why we can only appeal to the government to build perimeter fencing for some primary schools in Badagry area,” he said.

    Zannu, who said he had visited Kankon since the threat of abduction, however, accused the police officers stationed in front of the school of extorting commuters heading to and from the border, rather than doing their primary assignment.

    Speaking with The Nation, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Olarinde Famous-Cole, noted that there were some security lapses in Kankon. He, however, said that police was not taking chances.

    “We have observed some security lapses in the school; but we are also in touch with government to make some amendments with regards to that. The fence you talked about will be mended.

    “The Divisional Police Officer and the Area K are already combing everywhere. We patrol during the day and in the night and work with the vigilantes. We won’t reveal our security strategy to the public. We have also told the teachers and security guards that they must identify and clear every visitor before allowing them into the school premises. This cuts across all model schools including other public and private schools in Lagos,” he said.