Armed men have kidnapped an unspecified number of school children in Emure local government area of Ekiti State, the state government confirmed Tuesday.
Gov. Biodun Oyebanji deplored the “callous and unacceptable” attack in which some pupils of a privately-run Apostolic Faith Nursery/Primary school in Emure-Ekiti, were taken from a school bus alongside their teachers and the bus driver Monday evening.
The victims were kidnapped as they returned to Eporo- Ekiti, he said. The government did not give the number of those affected.
Local reports said at least six pupils were affected.
Rising insecurity
Nigerians have witnessed a spike in reported cases of kidnapping that has for years plagued nearly all parts of the country. Criminals frequently kidnap residents and only release them in exchange for huge ransom money.
Such attacks could be deadly as victims could be killed if payment is delayed. Kidnappers killed two victims in Abuja two weeks ago after their families failed to pay up immediately.
The attack in Ekiti hours after suspected kidnappers killed two traditional rulers after attempting to abduct them.
The governor’s spokesperson Yinka Oyebode said the government would do everything humanly possible to rescue the pupils.
He said security agencies were already on the trail of the abductors, and said security was being stepped up across the state.
The police spokesperson in the state, Sunday Abutu, did not comment on the matter as he was engaged in an emergency security meeting with Gov. Oyebanji over the abduction.
Discover more from Pluboard
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.