Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said Wednesday that the police were working to track down the abductor of the three female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School, Ikorodu, who were kidnapped by a group of armed gang on Monday night, promising they would be released unhurt.
The state deputy governor, Idiat Adebule, visited the school yesterday and assured the management of the state determination to bring back the girls.
Ambode, through his commissioner for information and strategy, Steve Ayorinde, condemned the unfortunate incident and assured that the police and other security operatives had swung into action, with useful leads and an unwavering determination to track down the perpetrators.
“We have not been silent on this unfortunate development. In a delicate security matter of this nature, where young innocent people are involved and management of information demands utmost circumspect. We were convinced that swift and coordinated reaction, guided by intelligence reports on the part of the police, was a better and more sensitive approach to take, rather than a sensational, panic-stricken reaction,” Ambode said.
He said Fatai Owoseni, the state commissioner of police, and the assistant inspector general of police for Lagos/Ogun Command, had gone to the scene of the incident, leading the entire coordinated effort involving every security apparatus.
“We believe in the capacity of the Police to lead this rescue mission. I have had ceaseless briefing with them since the incident happened, and God helping us, we shall spare no effort in securing the safe release of the girls and continue to secure the school and indeed every part of Lagos,” the governor said.
According to Ambode, the incident may not be unconnected with his recent visit to some parts of Ikorodu, where he read the riot act to vandals and criminal gangs on the resolve of the state to take the battle to their hideouts in a spirited effort to secure pipelines.
“We believe this is a case of evil fighting back. But Lagos will neither succumb to threats of lawlessness nor bow to terror.
“Our resolve is very clear; we will assist the Police and other security agencies in dealing decisively with this one unfortunate case and prevent future reoccurrence. We will deploy the resources at our disposal to safeguard every life and property within our care,” he said.
He recalled a similar incident in Arepo area of Ogun State, where a senior staff of a leading telecoms agency was kidnapped three days ago, however saying that he had gotten assurance from both the Ogun State Police and Lagos Police commands on their collaborative efforts to tame the menace of kidnapping and ensure return of order and safety.
He also commended the gallantry of the students of the school who put up a courageous resistance to prevent the abduction of their mates, just as he praised the mature and measured response of the school management in the wake of the incident.
“The state government is with you in bringing this unfortunate episode to a quick resolution. I wish to appeal for calm and support of every Lagosian. I urge them to be vigilant and helpful to the security operatives in this onerous task to rid the state of every form of criminality, cultism and terrorism,” Ambode said.
