The Ekiti State Police Command has nabbed eight suspected kidnappers who are believed to be involved in the abduction of five pupils and four staff members of Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Emure-Ekiti.
Recall that the gunmen had ambushed the school bus conveying the pupils and staff members to Eporo, a suburb of Emure, and whisked them away after school hours on Monday.
It was said that the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million ransom but later reduced it to N15 million for nine of their victims.
Meanwhile, the police, in a statement on Thursday, February 1, by the command spokesman, Sunday Abutu, disclosed the suspects were arrested by combined security agencies during a bush combing operation in Ekiti and Ondo forests.
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About stated that items recovered from the suspects include three cutlasses, an axe, a dagger, a live cow, and food items.
He added that the suspects are currently undergoing investigations.
The statement read:
“Following the recent kidnapping of some school children in Emure-Ekiti and the killing of two traditional rulers in Ikole-Ekiti, the Command, to ensure the rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the culprits, deployed the Rapid Response Squad for a bush combing operation in collaboration with the military personnel, Amotekun Corps, Vigilantes, Local Hunters, Members of Agbekoya Group including Policemen and Amotekun Corps from Ondo State.
“During the operation which was carried out through Emure Forest, Ise/Ogbese Forest to Emure-Ile Forest in Ondo State, the following eight suspects were further arrested in the Forests: YAYA SUMAILA, IDRISU ABUBAKAR, HASSAN ABDULAHI, ABUDULLAHI ABUDULLAHI, HARUNA ABUBAKAR, USMAN ABUDULLAHI, HARUNA SULE including one BABUSA ALHAJI LEDE who was arrested inside Ayedun/ Ayebode Ekiti forest in Ikole Area of the State.”
