Abductors of Lagos college students demand N400m ransom

ABDUCTORS of six students of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, have opened negotiations with the parents of the abductees, demanding a ransom of N400 million to secure their release, Sunday Tribune has gathered.

One of the parents in the school, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the abductors had contacted the parents of the kidnapped students.

The source stated that “we have heard that the abductors called one of the parents and demanded N400 million before they would release the students.”

The parent added: “the negotiation is still on, but they have not been able to contact the [telephone] number through which they called since then. But, we are expecting further negotiation before tomorrow.”

Also, nine policemen have been injured as a joint team of policemen embarked on a mission to rescue the abducted students.

Three of the policemen were said to still be unconscious as of Saturday evening  following the heavy gun battle between them and suspected militants in the riverine community in Ijebu area of Ogun State.

The policemen were as of Saturday evening still undergoing medical treatment at the police hospital in Ikoyi area of Lagos.

It was gathered that that a serious fun battle had on Friday morning ensured, when suspected militants sighted some policemen around  Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside area of Ogun State.

A police source, who spoke with the Sunday Tribune, said “policemen from the Marine Police and others were on the trail of the kidnappers, when a fun battle ensued.”

He added that “ our men were on a rescue mission,when the milltants sighted them and opened fire on them and a serious gun duel ensued.”

It was also gathered that the milltants, who were over 20, engaged the policemen in a serious gun duel, which lasted four over six hours on the waterways.