Kidnappers of principal, students contact parents

Demand Undisclosed Amount

Kidnappers of the Principal and students of Lagos Model College, Epe yesterday contacted three families of their captives, listing their demands, using an unknown telephone number.

It was also gathered that the abductors have warned the parents to desist from involving detectives and other security agencies.

They were said to have assured the concerned families of the safety of their wards if they obeyed their instructions.

One of the family members, who spoke with newsmen, said: “My sister’s phone rang about 2.50am and a male voice instructed her to leave the place if there was anyone with her. The stranger said he was calling in respect of our kidnapped relative.

“He warned that the conversation should not be divulged to security agents and threatened that if the instruction was not adhered to, the family would be held responsible for anything that happens to their abducted relative.

“They demanded ransom, but I cannot tell you in order not to jeopardise the safety of our relative. But they demanded millions of naira.

“My sister pleaded with them to bring down the amount, that her husband was at the moment out of job, but the stranger did not respond.

“She also demanded to speak with our relative with them, but that was not granted. She was told that she would be allowed to do so after an agreement had been reached on the payment.”

The gunmen had stormed the school on Thursday and abducted the vice principal, a teacher and four students of in an operation that confounded security agents and the state Police command.

It was gathered that two of the abducted students later escaped few minutes after they were picked.

Among those abducted is Lukman Oyerinde, said to be the elder brother of slain aide of Edo State Governor Adam Oshiomhole, Olaitan Oyerinde.