Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi
Ambode on Wednesday said his government 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.
The Governor in a statement signed 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.
“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”, Governor Ambode said.
He said the State Commissioner of
Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni as well as the Assistant Inspector General of
Police for the Lagos/Ogun Command were fully on ground at the scene and
vicinity of the incident leading the entire coordinated effort involving
every military 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”.
Governor 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,” he said.
Governor 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
saying that he has 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,”
Governor Ambode said.
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