Kidnapped Turkish Staff & Student Released After 11 Days

LAGOS — The eight students and two staff of the Nigeria Turkish
International School, Isheri, Ogun State, who were abducted on January
13, 2017, have regained their freedom.
They were released about 7.30pm yesterday after ransom was paid.

Available information had it that parents parted with between
N4million about N10 million each to secure the release of the students
and staff. The Police high command yesterday morning had assured
apprehensive parents and relatives of the victims, that their wards
would be released in 24 hours.

This assurance might not be unconnected with the move of the Inspector
General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to personally take over the rescue
operation of the victims and subsequent apprehension of those behind
it.

Vanguard gathered that the visibly angry IGP, was concerned about the
condition of the victims who have been kept at the kidnappers den for
12 days.

As at yesterday, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge
of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun states police commands, Mr
Kayode Aderanti, visited Ogun State. Shortly after leaving the Ota
farm of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo , he told newsmen that the
police were closing in on the kidnappers, adding that the zonal
command was doing all it could to rid Ogun and Lagos states of
criminals.

He said : "We are working assiduously towards getting the children
back . In a matter of 24 hours or there about, they will be out. Just
give us sometime, we are working seriously on them.

''My visit here is to let them know that I am here to put in my best,
to support the structure on the ground, to work closely with my
Commissioners of Police, who have been doing a hell of a job and to
ensure we put up a very good security architecture in Ogun state such
that everybody will go about his or her duty without fear".

Multiple confirmation of release

Vanguard news paper obtained multiple confirmation of the victims
release last night. The AIG told Vanguard; ''We thank God the ordeal
is over. Now we can concentrate on bringing the abductors to book.''

According to him; ''The victims were released close to their school
around 7.30pm.

The school's Public Relations Officer, Mr Cema Yigit told Vanguard,
with a lot of excitement in his voice, that; ''Yes they've been
released but I cant give you much details now. But a statement will be
issued later.''

Another staff of the school who craved anonymity said all the 10
victims were released.

''However they were all taken to an undisclosed hospital to determine
their state of health and stabilise them emotionally.''

According to Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, PPPRO,
Abimbola Oyeyemi ;''The victims were released last night and we are
expecting them at the police command, Eleweran, Abeokuta tomorrow
(today).

Parents besiege school

It was further gathered as soon as the news of the release of the
victims filtered to town, parents of the affected students and the
staff as well as other parents thronged the school premises.

According to the source it was jubilation galore as the parents,
teachers and the management could not hide their happiness.

Statement from school

A statement issued by the school, signed by Yigit read; "We wish to
inform the general public that the kidnapped students and staff of the
Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) Ogun state, have regained
freedom.

The victims were released this evening after a painstaking
collaborative effort by the relevant security agencies in the country.

The management of NTIC wishes to express our gratitude to the relevant
security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the
three students, one Turkish teacher, a cook and three supervisors.

" We also wish to extend our appreciation to the government and good
people of Ogun State for their support throughout the difficult
period. The role of the Ogun State Government is highly appreciated.

"Our special appreciation also goes to President Muhammadu Buhari, the
Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of
State Services, the Chief of Army Staff, and others too numerous to
mention for their efforts.