Lagos Pupils’Abduction: Kidnappers Break Silence, Promise To Free Children

Published

7 years ago

July 6, 2017

After three weeks of communication silence, abductors of six pupils of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, have contacted some parents of the victims again.

Punch Metro learnt yesterday that the kidnappers also allowed the parents to speak with all the children, promising that they would be released soon.

It was gathered that the kidnappers did not request that the parents or the government pay any additional ransom. The children had spent 41 days in captivity as of Wednesday.

Three days after notifying the college of the attack, the gunmen broke into the boys’ hostel around 6am on Thursday, May 25.

They picked 10 Senior Secondary School pupils from the hostel and led them to a waterside, where their speedboat was anchored.

The pupils were screened based on their family backgrounds. While four were consequently released, the assailants whisked away the remaining six pupils, identified as Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Phillips and Farouq Yusuf.

After a prolonged negotiation, the kidnappers eventually settled for N100m ransom for all the children.

The parents had protested at the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s office on Wednesday, June 7, accusing the government of indifference and asking it to facilitate the release of the children.

Eventually, the parents raised and paid N10m to the captors on June 9.

The following day, they demanded additional N40m ransom and went incommunicado, leaving the parents in confusion.

However, some parents, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers had established contact with them again.

They said the gang allowed them to speak with all the children and assured them of their safety.

A parent said, “They have called again and promised to release our children soon. But they did not specify when and where they will be released. They allowed one of us to speak with all the children and they assured the parent that the kids are safe.

“Our plea is that they should have mercy on us and free these children. We cannot wait to see them.”

Another parent, who also confirmed the phone call, said the kidnappers did not demand further ransom.

The parent said, “It is true they have contacted us and made a promise to free our children very soon. In fact, we have been on the lookout since yesterday (Tuesday). We just hope they will not renege on their promise again. They did not request more ransom. We pray that they do not change their minds.

“We are a bit relieved to hear from the children again after about three weeks’ break, but the most important thing is their freedom. We want to see our children.”

Asked why rescue operations had not yielded results despite repeated assurances in the last few weeks, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said efforts had been intensified.

He said, “We are ensuring security awareness and presence in all schools in the state.

“The police are also working with other security agencies and all stakeholders to dialogue on the best way to police the state.

“Such efforts will lead to reduction in crimes and the rescue of the schoolchildren.

“The police are working round-the-clock to rescue them very soon.”

Meanwhile, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria says the inability of security operatives to rescue the six kidnapped pupils undermined the investment of the state government on security.

The Amir (President) of the MSSN in Lagos State, Dr Saheed Ashafa, said this in a press statement on Wednesday.

He said allowing the children to spend 41 days (by Wednesday) in captivity showed that security in Lagos needed reforms.

He said, “The continuous stay of the pupils with kidnappers means that the investment of the state government in security has yielded little or no result. The situation is an embarrassment on the much rated Lagos State.”

Ashafa, who lamented the psychological torture that the pupils would be going through, prayed for their safe rescue, urging the parents of the victims to be hopeful.

Ashafa deplored the spate of criminality bedeviling the peace of the state in recent times.

“We appeal the state government not to relent in its effort to maintain a crime-free Lagos,” he added

Uncategorized

Harmony Gardens MD, Saheed Mosadoluwa Refutes Smear Campaign, Clarifies Relationship with Oba Awujale

Published

2 months ago

February 9, 2024

CelebrityPlus

Renowned real estate developer, Hon. Saheed Mosadoluwa also Known as Mr Ibile, who is currently a victim of an ongoing online defamatory campaigns and series of frivolous petitions, has refuted claims of land grabbing, and clarified his relationship with the revered Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Ogbagba II.

Mr. Ibile, the Managing Director of Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Ltd, addressed accusations during a press meeting on Tuesday, emphasizing his respect for the respected traditional ruler who he referred to as his grandfather, and his desire for peaceful resolution.

Ibile vehemently denied recent allegations, attributing them to a smear campaign orchestrated by his detractors, led by alleged landgrabbers’ lawyer, whom he described as a “defamatory lawyer.” engaged by Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi and an accused renowned landgrabber, Kazeem Salami, a.k.a All Rounder Ajagungbale, who he claims to have sponsored 39 petitions orchestrated by these individuals, all of which he refuted.

“They keep recycling the same allegations and using the media to manipulate law enforcement agencies and authorities,” Ibile stated.

Addressing the specific claims of land disputes with the Awujale, Ibile clarified that “the monarch expressed interest in a portion of the disputed Eyin Osa land, and he readily offered it since the same people that sold to him confirmed that, they gave the monarch 8 hectares at the same land, and that bestow privilege to Kazeem Salami to leverage on the oba’s influence through the Kakanfo to Awujale to instigate the king’s influence against Ibile for his landgrabbing interest, but no matter how the case may be, the Kabiyesi Awujale is the owner of Saheed Ibile and whatever belong to Saheed”.

In showcasing his respect for the revered figure. He denounced the misuse of the Awujale’s name by his adversaries in the ongoing duplication and frivolous petitions, proceedings, and media narratives.

“It’s even funny that anyone would think I’d be dragging land with a man of such stature. The Awujale is my father and role model being a sign of customary authority who remain the face and image of the Yoruba land.,” Ibile remarked.

“I had left the issues for our fathers: The Oloja of Epe in person of Oba Kamoru Animashaun and HRH. OBA Olusegun Awokoya to fully resolve whatever to wherever they want, and handover our company’s 94 hectares Survey plan investment within the Eyin Osa ressetlement land, out of what link our father,Oba Awujale or that of Baba Rafiu Jafojo to our company since they are the consenting authority of the ressetlement land”, he said.

Amidst the accusations, Ibile called for a transparent investigation. He urged the Inspector General of Police to establish special panel enquiries in camera to probe the allegations and expose the “real evil-doers” in Ibeju-Lekki/Epe area. “I am still not having any issues with the way police detaining me to please my detractors, trying to hide under the Awujale’s influence not because of concrete investigations but because the new petitions are duplication of what has been investigated before and charge to different courts”, Ibile added.

He expressed confidence in his innocence and called for justice for all parties involved, including those accusing him of landgrabbing, kidnapping and willful destructions to properties and himself, a victim of alleged cyberstalking, libel, demarketing and defamation.

Business

Lagos Brands Expert Tunji Folami Reflects On life @ 60

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2024

CelebrityPlus

Lagos businessman,Tunji Folami is 60. That is the big news. And this is authoritative. For those who still can’t catch the drift,lets quickly tell you that this handsome, ever smiling man is a strategically robust and creative Public Relations, Events management and Brands expert with over 30 years wealth of management experience and a track record of successful practice across industries.

It is not all works for this Lagos dude as he also belongs to the major social clubs in town.Deeply strategic and highly creative, Tunji has been behind several highly successful and award winning marketing and brand initiatives over the years and still waxing strong.

Born 1st February 1964, Folami attended Surulere Baptist School for his primary education in Lagos. He proceeded to Adeola Odutola college, Ijebu ode for his secondary and later Studied Political science.

His late father was a foremost Chartered Accountant who was a senior partner at Akinola Williams and co.He is a member of the prestigious Island club, where he had been management committee member and later Social Secretary for three years. He is also a member of Eko club, where he belongs to the social committee, member, Immaculate club 17, where he was a past vice chairman.

He was a member of the Rotaract club from 1984 to 1989. He has subsequently been very active in humanitarian affairs.

He will be launching an NGO, *Phanso Altruistic Foundation* for the promotion of the less privileged as part of his desire to help the society during his birthday celebration .

He was also the National publicity secretary of Adeola Odutola College old Students Association until last year. He is also the president of his old students set at Adeola Odutola college, Ijebu ode 75/80.

To celebrate this milestone,Folami is set to pull the crowd for a celebration of life at the prestigious Island Club on Sunday 4th February,2024.

The suave gentleman spoke to Celebrityplusnonline on the journey so far. Excerpts.

How do you juggle your normal day to day job with your social life?

This is a question I get asked by a lot of people. They always ask me how I juggle this. The first thing I will say is commitment.By the very nature of my business, social life is a normal thing for me. Most of my services are events related hence I am always at home with social life.

At 60,what is on your mind?

My further resolve is to be committed to the cause of humanity. I pray I should be able to achieve more peace and contentment in all my endeavours.

You are very passionate about Humanitarian affairs, what informed this?

I know what it looks like to have shared support from friends and family. I wish same for the less privileged of the society. That is why I am dedicated to coordinating humanitarian support for the needy.

Let’s delve a bit into your Phanso Altruistic Foundation,what informed this?

It is essentially an NGO founded with commitment for the service of the less privileged. The NGO is a purpose vehicle for the harnessing of the support of my friends and family to support those in need. Everywhere you look,people need something.Altough we don’t necessarily have all that is required to support those in need but we will reach out to others to please be their brothers keeper. Our slogan is “celebrate with purpose”. We will approach our friends to please give to humanity in celebration of their memorable days such as birthdays and anniversaries . Those you help today might be able to help others tomorrow and the world will be a better place to be.

You also seem to command a lot of respect among your friends both young and old within the various social clubs you belong,this is uncommon?

It’s just mutual respect for each other. I value and respect my friends and I am deeply committed to being there for them. That has obviously brought my few friends and I together. I keep detailed information about everyone I know particularly their birthdays. Every midnight I greet my friends in all the clubs, old students association and family for their birthday. That has also endeared me to a lot of them in some way.

What is Tunji’s life philosophy?

Do unto others as you wish done unto you.