Abducted school children and teachers of the Apostolic Faith Group of School, Emure-Ekiti have regained their freedom after seven days in the kidnappers’ den.
The gunmen had on Monday ambushed a bus conveying the schoolchildren and staff of the school back to their homes at Eporo on the road and whisked nine among the occupants away, leaving the bus on the road.
The kidnappers were said to have reached out to the families of the abducted pupils and demanded N100m ransom for each of the nine persons held captive in their den.
The abductors, however, on Thursday reduced the ransom to N15m for all the abductees with a threat to kill the victims if the money was not paid on time.
However, on Sunday morning, reprieve came their way as the bandits set them free at about 1:30 am.
Confirming the development, Ekiti State Police Command Public Relation Officer, Sunday Abutu said, “All victims were rescued today at about 1:30 am but unfortunately, we lost the driver who was suspected killed by the abductors.
“We wish to inform the general public that the five school children, including their teachers, who were kidnapped on 29/01/2024 in Emure-Ekiti, have been rescued unhurt, today 4th February 2024.
“We therefore commend and appreciate the efforts of the government, our Police operatives and other security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, hunters, and individuals, as well as family members, for their understanding and resilience.
