Abductors demand N200m to free Lagos schoolgirls

                                  

The kidnappers of three girls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) have demanded N200 million ransom.

Timilehin Olisa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo, all SS2 students, were snatched away from their classroom at about 9:30pm on Monday during prep.

Timilehin, it was learnt, is the daughter of Ven. Victor Ayo Olusa, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos Anglican School Management Board.

The kidnappers, contacted the distraught father of one of the girls on Tuesday, demanding N200 million for the three girls, The Nation learnt.

They were said to have got his telephone number from his daughter, and allegedly said their target was the school.

 

 

It was learnt that the criminals’ first call to the man was ended abruptly and they called him again to pass on their message.

This development was said to have provoked an emergency meeting between the school’s management, the victims’ anxious parents and security agencies, led by Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, which lasted till the early hours of Wednesday.

Three other meetings were held between 11am and 4:15pm with the school authorities and security agents.

The Nation learnt that security agencies may have identified the abductors’ location. Teams of military personnel, the police and the Department of State Service (DSS) and the local vigilante group, known as Oyabo, have been deployed in the area.

Parents and teachers have intensified prayers for the release of the girls. Lessons did not start yesterday until past 10am.

All was normal on the premises, save for the heavy presence of security men around the administrative block and outside the school gate.

Some parents who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the management of the school for lack of adequate security.

They said on various occasions, the management was advised to raise the fence at the School of Science and Technology, but the suggestion was ignored.

But the school principal, Venerable Olaoluwa Adeyemi who looked very disturbed, vented his anger on reporters who he accused of sabotaging rescue efforts.

Adeyemi, pressed by reporters to comment on the incident, said: “The girls have not been found till this moment and why do you want me to start addressing the press? Is that the only job we are going to do all day? People are busy searching for the girls while you are busy asking questions.

“You cannot keep disturbing us here; all you need do is to join us in prayers. Honestly, you people are not helping matters. In fact, you’re adding to the problem by disturbing what people could have done at the right time.

“The deputy governor was here and we recounted the whole issue in her presence and the press men asked various questions. Both the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police have addressed the press but for everybody to be coming here as if this place is a pilgrimage is not good enough.”