How fresh demand for money by kidnappers stalled release of Lagos students

ABDUCTORS of the six students of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe have, again, refused to release the students, after reportedly demanding an additional N1 million to the N30 million already collected from the parents of the children, Sunday Tribune has learnt.

Though the Lagos State police command has given 100 per cent assurance that the students would be rescued, noting that the police were working on the “best way to rescue them,” Sunday Tribune gathered that the parents had been made to part with N30 million after which the abductors made a volte-face about releasing the children.

One of the parents, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, maintained that they abductors have failed “on many occasions” after reaching an agreement with the parents, saying the parents were beginning to lose confidence.

Sunday Tribune gathered that on more than three occasions, the abductors had promised the parents that they would release the students and even told them to go to different locations, only to renege at the last minute.

A police source, who spoke with Sunday Tribune on a condition of anonymity, said: “The parents have lost hope in the kidnappers. They don t believe they will honour their promise to release the abductees after failing on several occasions.”

The police source, who declined comment on how much had been received by the abductors, said “I am not part of the ransom negotiation or any money being paid to them, but they are demanding for another one million naira before the children would be released.”

The abductors, it was gathered, had promised to release the students after collecting the first part payment N10 million, but reportedly changed their minds after the money was paid.

Another round of payment of N20 million was said to have been paid to the abductors, who again assured that they would release the children and even told the parents to go and wait for them at a particular location.

However, about 12 days ago, Sunday Tribune learnt that the abductors became more friendly and even allowed the children to speak with the family, only to demand for another N1 million before they could be released.

But the spokesperson of the Lagos State police command, Olarinde Famous-Cole, while speaking with Sunday Tribune said the police “are doing their best to ensure that the students are rescued safely,” adding that he was confident that the students would be rescued soon.