Gov. Oyebanji appreciates Tinubu, security agencies over freedom of kidnapped school children
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has appreciated President Bola Tinubu, security agencies and Ekiti people over their support in securing the release of the kidnapped pupils of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary school, Emure Ekiti.
According to a press release signed by Olayinka Oyebode, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, the children and their teachers were released in the wee hours on Sunday, February 4th, and brought to the Elemure palace around 4am.
The Governor while
congratulating the children and their families, expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for giving specific directives that put the search and rescue mission on top gear.
He also thanked the security agencies for their collaborative efforts during the search for the students, just as he appreciated Ekitikete at home and abroad for their support during the security situation experienced last week.
While noting the traumatic experience of the children in the kidnappers’ den, Oyebanji directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services,
Dr. Oyebanji Filani to take the children to the state Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for proper medical treatment and post trauma therapy.
The Governor, who kept vigil with Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele till 3.00am to ensure the release of the children, acknowledged the solidarity shown by his colleagues, governors, former governors of the state as well as religious leaders and traditional rulers.
He also thanked members of the Ekiti State Caucus in the National Assembly and members of the state House of Assembly for their support. “And more importantly, we thank God for everything” the Governor said.
Oyebanji also restated the determination of his administration to stamp out crime and criminality from the state by making the environment unbearable for criminals operating under whatever guise.
Similarly, the Governor vowed that the killers of the two Ekiti obas would be fished out and made to face the maximum weight of the law.
He urged the people of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities to the authorities.
Oyebanji regretted that the driver of the school bus was reported killed in the custody of the kidnappers.
He expressed his condolences to the family of the late driver of the abducted pupils, Mr. Olugbaye Taiwo, assuring that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be apprehended and brought to book.
He noted that security agencies in the state have been put on red alert, stressing that the government wouldn’t relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
