There is palpable fear at the Lagos State Model College, Kankon, Badagry, as kidnappers have threatened to abduct some pupils and staff members of the school.
It was learnt that the kidnappers sent two letters of the same content to the junior and senior sections of the college respectively.
This is just as the daughter of a councillorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Odi Olowo Local Council Development Association, Ilupeju, Bode Adeosun, was reportedly abducted.
PUNCH gathered on Wednesday that the letters sent to Kankon were posted on the corridors leading to the offices of the two principals.
The kidnappers, in the letter, claimed responsibility for the abduction of six pupils of the College, who have spent 28 days in captivity.
They vowed to abduct six pupils from Kankon, as well as the two principals of the college, boasting that nothing could stop them.
”Kidnappers are visiting the school the same way we did at Igbonla, Epe. We are going to capture three pupils from senior school and three from junior school. We are kidnapping both principals.
”We are coming in two days’ time. No security put in place will stop us from gaining entry and fulfilling our mission as stated in this letter. Be expecting us!” a copy of the letter read.
According to PUNCH, the letters were sent to the college about two weeks ago, while the security agencies and the state government were alerted.
Policemen and soldiers were said to have been deployed in the school.
However, when the ultimatum given by the suspects elapsed, the security presence around the school reportedly reduced, which caused panic.
Some parents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had initially wanted to keep the threat secret, but decided otherwise due to the reduction in the number of operatives manning the school.
One of the parents said he had visited his ailing son, who is in Junior Secondary School, on Saturday, June 10, when he saw one of the letters.
”As I was passing by the principal’s office, I saw a notice and stopped to read it. I was shocked when I read the content. The principal was not around at that time, but I alerted some staff members present.
”I informed the Parents Forum Association chairman, who contacted the school authorities. The government and security agencies had also been informed.
”A large number of policemen and soldiers were initially deployed in the school. There were also security vans patrolling the school surroundings.
”But when I went back four days after, the number of security men had reduced considerably. I saw only two policemen at the school gate.”
The PTA Chairman, Wale Alo, said the case was reported at the Akpa Police Post and Area K Command, Badagry.
”We have been trying to beef up security. The state government sent policemen and military personnel. The school also employed some vigilantes to secure the school, especially at night. I learnt that the deputy governor is aware.
”Although the handwriting on the letters looks like that of a child, the content is beyond any pupil’s reasoning. The school is a little bit far from the waterside, but we must not leave anything to chance,” he said.
The school authorities, however, described the letters as a rumour.
One of the two principals, Sunday Fadaunsi, said, ”We regard the letters as a rumour. Parents and pupils have been circulating it, but nobody can come up with any letter.”
When asked about the security measures put in place in the school, he said, ”the deputy governor is handling that.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said the government was aware of the letter, adding that the security of the school, pupils and staff was guaranteed.
