Babington principal: My pupils fought the kidnappers bravely

Olaoluwa Adeyemi, principal of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, on Wednesday revealed that his students “put up a good fight” against the men who abducted three of their colleagues.

He explained that the attackers, who had sophisticated weapons, gained access to the school premises through a hole they effected on the fence.

Adeyemi said after overpowering the school’s security personnel, the kidnappers started shooting sporadically.

He was speaking when Oluranti Adebule, deputy governor of the state, led a government delegation to the school.

“The security men in school tried to combat them but the weapons they came with were superior. They went into the classrooms and in fact the students put up a good fight but the kidnappers overpowered and whisked away three students,” he said.

“Fortunately for me I have the number of the commissioner of police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, and immediately I called him; he responded. The governor was informed as well and within three hours, the school was filled with security people.

“All the security agencies combed the environment till this morning. Apparently, we could not get them but since then, security operatives have been working really hard.

“Three children were involved and we have contacted their parents and tried to discuss with them and other security information are with the security agents. The kidnappers gained access to the school premises through a deep hole they effected on the fence of the school.”

He said after the kidnappers gained entrance, they started shooting sporadically into the air, and eventually overpowered the security personnel in the school, as the hoodlums came with superior weapons.

Adebule expressed regret over the situation, saying the government would leave no stone unturned until the three girls were rescued alive.

She also appealed to the kidnappers to release the girls, whom she said were innocent of whatever reasons that warranted their abduction.

“On behalf of the governor and all of us in the ministry of education, we are here to share your pain and of course to see firsthand what has happened on Monday,” she said.

“The governor has directed that we assure you and the general public that with the combined efforts of all the security agencies that the children, by the grace of God, will be rescued very soon.

“This came as a rude shock to us because nobody anticipated it; it’s quite unfortunate and very worrisome but I like to assure you that by the grace of God, we are going to receive good news very shortly.”