Drama as parents of kidnapped Lagos pupils protest at Ambode’s office

Parents of kidnapped students of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, held a protest at the office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday, demanding the rescue of their children 14 days after they were abducted by kidnappers.

The parents claimed that the kidnappers told some of them on Tuesday that four of their children were ill, saying they would no longer negotiate with the government.

One of the victim’s (Isiaka) mother was inconsolable, as she demand the release of her son.

Another parent, Toyin Philips, mother of 17-year-old Pelumi, another victim, was seen weeping.

“If I have the money they are demanding, I would not have sent my son to that school,” she said.

Spokesperson for the parents, Mr. Dapo Adesega, lamented that their children had been with the kidnappers for 14 days and that the state government had not communicate with them.

“If we had not come here today, we won’t have heard anything from the government.

“The kidnappers said we cannot speak with our children again. They said four of them are ill. We want government to help us,” he said.

Another parent, Moruf Ramon, said there was no way they could raise the N100m being demanded by the kidnappers, adding that so far, the parents offered to give the kidnappers N10m, but they rejected it

The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications, Kehinde Bamigbetan; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Babatunde Hunpe, who received the protesters, said their children would be rescued safely.

Folami said, “Work is going on and soon, your children will be released to you.”

Also speaking, Bamigbetan said government knew the pains the parents were going through and that everything would be done to get the children released very soon. Punch