Amosun Receives Rescued Turkish School Students, Staff

Amosun Receives Rescued Turkish School Students, Staff

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, today received students and staff of the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC), who were kidnapped by gunmen from the school.

The governor who also received parents of the students, management of the school, security agencies congratulated the school and parents on their safe return of the abductees.

Amosun who said immediately the news of the kidnap came in that he has been in constant communication with the president on the issue, noted that he became worried when the rescue exercise was taking longer than necessary.

He said: "I congratulate the school and felicitate with their parents on the safe return of their staff and children. I can imagine the trauma you would have gone through. Sincerely, everybody was worried and I personally became even more worried when the rescue efforts were taking longer than necessary.

"When the issue happened, I was not around but when I was informed, I called the attention of the president to it. Even last Sunday, I still spoke with him and we had hoped that by Monday, they would be released. I mounted serious pressure on the police; I met with security agencies involved in the rescue operation more than five time, an so when the AIG came here last Tuesday, he assured me that in the next 24 hours, the abducted will be released, and I am happy they are all back alive."

The governor, therefore, said the safe rescue of the victims was a good birthday gift for him, noting that issues of kidnappers will henceforth be handled and treated like that of the Boko Haram sect.

He added that the state would rejig the security arrangement around the schools, especially those with boarding facilities in the state.

"Mapping of the schools will be done and other tight security measures would be put in place to prevent such occurrence, and private school owners should collaborate with the state government on proper security arrangement.

"We will go after these criminals; hunt them down and I assure you that your abductors will pay for the crime they have committed. We don't want people to have the feelings that Ogun State is not safe, hence, the perpetrators of this crime will not go unpunished," he said.

However, the rescued students and staff were accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ililyasu; Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier-General Basil Adonikwe and state Director of DSS, Kabiru Sanni.

Iliyasu, while briefing the governor on the rescued students and staff, said with the support of the state government and the resolute stance of the police, the identities of the hoodlums were uncovered 24 hours after the victims were abducted.

He said the combined efforts of the military, DSS and the intelligence response system of the police further tightened the noose around the kidnappers hence the eventual release of the victims.

Iliyasu, however, disclosed that during the rescue operation, a high profile suspect was arrested. He noted further that kidnap operation was of high scale, saying investigations were still ongoing to nab others behind the abduction.

In his remark, the Managing Director of the college, Mr. Orhan Kertim, said it had been difficult and sleepless 11 days lauding the parents of the affected students for their solidarity and understanding.