Gunmen kidnap six pupils, three teachers in Ekiti

Gunmen kidnap six pupils, three teachers in Ekiti

Gunmen have kidnapped six pupils and three teachers of a private school in Emure, Ekiti State.

The incident occurred the same day armed men killed two traditional rulers in the Oke-Ako area of the state.

The kidnappers reportedly waylaid the school bus conveying the pupils and the teachers including the driver around 5pm on Monday, January 29, along Eporo-Ekiti road.

The pupils were said to be heading for Emure-Ekiti when their bus was intercepted.

The gunmen abandoned the school bus conveying the pupils after the attack.

Ekiti State Government confirmed the incident in a statement and called on residents not to panic as efforts were being intensified to rescue the children.

“The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the citizens of the state not to despair over Monday’s kidnapping of some school pupils and their teachers in Emure-Ekiti, assuring that efforts are on to get the children and their teachers rescued,” the statement read.

It stated further, “Security agencies in the state are already on the trail of the abductors with a mandate to bring the pupils and their teachers back safely.

“Governor Oyebanji said security is being stepped up across the state with a view to flushing out criminal elements from their hideouts.

“While calling on the citizens to remain calm and vigilant, he urged them to cooperate with security agencies by making available relevant information to the authorities.”

The incident followed the murder of two traditional rulers in the state.

The monarchs were said to be returning from a meeting in Irele-Ekiti when they were ambushed and gunned down.

The traditional rulers were identified as Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti; and Oba Olatunde Olusola, the Onimojo of Omojola-Ekiti.