Lagos school kidnap: Six students picked after abductors profiled victims

Six Senior Secondary School students of  Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, in Epe area, were early yesterday kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Four students and two staff of the school were abducted in October last year.

The kidnappers involved in yesterday’s operation according to police sources, were suspected to be members of a militant kidnap gang that had carried out several kidnappings, armed robbery and the killings of security agents around Lagos and Ogun state.

Movement out of the school


Students vacating the school yesterday. Photo by Akeem Salau.
Ten students, all boys were reportedly taken from the hostel. While they were being led out through the bush path to the abductors’ waiting boats, four of them were released while six others were whisked into the kidnappers speed boats which sped off in the direction they came from. Four of the abducted students are in Senior Secondary School, SSS 1 while two are in SSS2.

Why I was left off the hook – Lucky student

One of the students who spoke on strict condition of anonymity disclosed that the kidnappers released four of them after questioning.

He said: “They were all wearing black shirts and black trousers, with their faces masked. While they were taking us away, they asked us questions particularly about our parents occupation. I told them that my parents were farmers and they told me to go back to the school. I was the first person that was asked to return. On the way, I heard foot steps and thought they were the kidnappers coming after me again. But they turned out to be my schoolmates  that were also allowed to go.”

One of the lucky students said; “I was allowed to go when I told them I was an orphan.  Another said that his father had died while the forth  said he did not know his parents telephone numbers.”

Suspected gang

Impeccable sources disclosed that yesterday’s kidnap was carried out to raise funds following the heavy loss the gang suffered in the hands of the military at their camp in Ajakpa area of Ondo State, where their overall leader, Ossy Ibori, was shot dead during a duel with the military.

Yesterday’s operation as reliably gathered, was led by one America, who assumed leadership of the gang after the death of Ossy.

They came in through Imeru/Iji waterways, accessed the swampy forest bordering the school from where they bore a hole in the school fence, through which they gained entry into the premises. Time was 5am.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the kidnappers who apparently knew the schedule of security agents patrolling the school, stormed there after they (security agents) left. The militants numbering over 15, came in six speed boats, hooded. Six of them were reportedly left in the speedboats, three remained at the shore apparently to ward off any intruder, while others marched into the school.

But the noise at the  dormitory entrance rattled students who raised the alarm. But before they (students) could summon courage to address the situation, the kidnappers had gained entry into the dormitory. This caused stampede as students ran in different directions for safety.

Earlier warning

Information at Vanguard’s disposal said that the kidnappers had earlier written a letter to the school, informing it of an imminent visit.

They were said to have  parading the waterways for two weeks, showcasing their fire power.

They were also said to have attempted to carry out the operation on Wednesday night but did not succeed, as the attempt was foiled by policemen who were on stand-by.

Sources at the school informed that “they attempted to scale the school fence on Friday night when private guards alerted policemen that were stationed around. The gun shots from the policemen scared them away”.

Residents of Igbonla community who spoke to Vanguard said that the militants were sighted on Tuesday, moving their speed boats round Imeru /Iji, apparently surveying the terrain.

One of the residents who simply gave his name as Ojo said : “We suspected