Lagos State Governor, Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode has said his administration will spare no effort to ensure the
safe release of the three female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary
School in Ikorodu area of the state, who were kidnapped by a group of armed
gang on Monday evening.
Vanguard/The Nation
reports continue:
The
kidnapped girls – Timilehin Olisa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo –
are Senior Secondary two (SS2) pupils.
Ambode,
in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve
Ayorinde, condemned the unfortunate incident, just as he assured that the
Police and other security operatives have swung into action, with useful leads
and with an unwavering determination to track down the perpetrators of the act
and ensure the safe return of the girls.
According
to him, “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”.
It
was gathered that the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni as well
as the Assistant Inspector General of Police for the Lagos/Ogun Command had
visited the scene and vicinity of the incident with coordinated effort
involving every military apparatus.
He
continued: “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”.
Ambode
said 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 government to take the battle to their hideouts in a spirited
effort to secure the 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.”
Ambode
also recalled a similar incident in Arepo area of Ogun State, where a senior
staff of a leading telecommunications agency was kidnapped three days ago.
However,
the governor with an assurance from both the Ogun State Police and Lagos Police
Commands on their collaborative efforts would 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment