Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday, expressed excitement over the release of six students of Igbonla-Epe Model College who were abducted in their school premises on May 25.
Pelumi Philips, Peter Jonah, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Farouq Yusuf and Isiaq Rahmon were released after two months in captivity in one of the Creeks in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Security officials handed them over to the school authorities on Friday afternoon.
In a statement, Ambode, speaking through his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, congratulated the parents of the students and all concerned stakeholders over the development, just as he said the students would undergo series of medical tests and trauma therapy before they are reunited with their families.
“This is a welcome development and the State Government has always believed that the students would be released unhurt. The news of their release is, therefore, a confirmation of that belief and we are glad that they would be reuniting with their families,” Ayorinde said.
He said the State Government remains resolute in its commitment to ensure the safety of lives and property of residents in the State and has already beefed up security in schools to prevent a re-occurrence.
“It is on record that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration has invested massively on equipment and welfare of security personnel so as to ensure that the State remains safe for residents and investors.
“This government has already taken giant steps to secure all our schools especially those in the suburbs and riverine areas and we are confident that the steps taken so far will go a long way in nipping a repeat of such in the bud,” Ayorinde said.
The commissioner also quoted Ambode as commending the efforts of security agencies who worked tirelessly to ensure the safe release and return of the students.
