Ogun: Kidnapped students, workers of Nigerian-Turkish school regain freedom
The students and staff of Nigerian Turkish International Colleges, Isheri, Ogun State, who were kidnapped almost two weeks ago have regained their freedom.
The victims; comprising of eight females, were reportedly released in good condition late Tuesday.
Ogun State Police Command however contradicted family sources on earlier claims that a ransom was paid to secure the release of the victims.
Sources close to the victims’ families had initially expressed worry that their relatives were not released on Saturday as agreed with the kidnappers after huge amounts of ransom were paid.
The police insisted the kidnappers succumbed to mounting pressure after it arrested masterminds of the kidnap, Philip Kakadu aka General Kakadu and Romeo Council aka Raw.
“After the arrest of the brains behind the kidnap, it was easier for us to rescue the victims. The arrests had turned the heat on them. They were rescued around 5pm. No ransom was paid. We are only trying to give them checkups. They are all hale and hearty,” state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said.
“This is the reason we always discourage payment of ransoms. If a child is kidnapped and nobody pays any ransom, the hoodlums will discover that the business is no longer viable and they will stop kidnapping for ransom.”
Three students, three female supervisors, one female cook and a female Turkish teacher were whisked away when gunmen stormed the school on Friday, January 13.
The school’s spokesperson, Cemal Yigit, said in a statement that “the students and teachers are doing fine and have reunited with their parents. We also wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the parents and guardians of NTIC for their support all through the period.”
