The Lagos state police command says 20 kidnappers were killed during the process of rescuing the six abducted students of Igbonla-Epe Model College.
Fatai Owoseni, the state commissioner of police, said this on Friday while briefing journalists on the rescue operation.
The boys were released on Friday – 64 days after they were kidnapped in their school premises.
He, however, regretted that one civilian volunteer died during the rescue process while eight policemen and four other civilian volunteers sustained injuries.
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Owoseni said the rescue of the children did not come immediately because security agencies were being careful not to get hurt them.
“We have responsible security agencies that don’t want to sacrifice the lives of those children. Our objective was to do everything possible to get these children alive, unhurt and that’s exactly what has happened,” he said.
He added that the police arrested a suspect who attempted to swindle the parents of the students by demanding ransom for the boys’ release.
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The commissioner praised the south-west governors “for demonstrating a clear commitment to combat crime in the region.”
The state government had earlier expressed excitement over the release of the students.
5 comments
Kudos to a good ending for those kids; sympathies for the innocent dead. Let the dead kidnappers go to meet the Great Judge. Well done, Nigeria!
We appreciate our security officers for job welldone ,our government at all level must invest in high tech detectors to aid our policing system’. Anybody found with fire arms should be shot immediately without recourse to court because our jusstice system is sick
Mr Owoseni, thank you for bringing hope to Lagos State citizens with your attitude and approach to work. The way you are enforcing disciple and holding policemen and officers accountable is restoring people’s confidence in the police. Tracking down the vermins (kidnappers) and rescuing the students deserve commendation. Your labour and determination will not end in vain. You will be richly blessed. Congratulations on your success and kudos to all who took part in the rescue operation.
****There is urgent need to put in place a deterrence to stop this scourge.
Our gallant police have done it by “killing” the kidnappers and rescuing the students.
One hopes is not like the claim by Nigerian Army on how they ‘rescued’ NNPC staff. For Naija, every lie and or half truth is possible.
Under a good leadership progress is inevitable.The Lagos State C P Owoseni and special trained gallant police officers makes Nigeria proud over the 6 student rescue operation Nigerians thought and prayer goes to the fallen heroes and the wounded officers. Could the kidnappers be identified even at death at least to know which family these bastard belong?. Many thanks to the Lagos state Governor Ambode, and others i cannot mention to make the rescue operation a great success. Kidnappers, your days are numbered the law is after you where ever you hide,Nigerians should continues to working with police and other security agents in the country and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest security post. Shame unto the country judicial system .The Police officer now taking the lead for a good change while our judicial system falling apart by the day because of corruption and unlawful delay of justice. Nigerians is watching you corrupt judges .