...as Gov. Oyebanji calls for calmness, says Government will rescue victims
By Udesinanna Stephen
Following the kidnapping of some pupils and the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti state, the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) has launched a peaceful walk in the state’s capital, seeking the state government intervention to rescue the pupils and restore security.
ROUNDOFFNEWS gathered that six pupils of a private school in Emure-Ekiti, three teachers and the bus driver were abducted while returning to Eporo- Ekiti, Monday evening.
Though Government has promised to rescue the victims, Speaking with reporters, at the NUJ press centre, Oke Oriomi, Ado Ekiti, the National President of FESSU, Comr. Abel Adewale Ajibade described the incident as pathetic.
Also, he said, “This children were kidnapped in their bus, this is the major reason why we are calling on the security forces, media houses, and the government itself, please rescue the pupils and bring them back to their comfort zone. Education is our right if we can not actually study in a peaceful environment anymore then what is our right?”
“We know they are doing their best, we know they are trying, few months back the government released apparatus to security personnels; more is needed, more security is needed and those students that were kidnapped we want them back, how do we get them back? That is our own agitation.”
According to him, Ekiti state is tagged a peaceful state, thus we must maintain the peace to sustain the “peace” tag.
Also speaking is the Senate President of the Union, Senator Omotosho Fasasi, who noted that the stage walk will cut across strategic government offices and security parastatals to intensify efforts towards releasing the kidnapped pupils.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has urged the citizens of the state not to despair over Monday’s kidnapping of some school pupils and their teachers in Emure- Ekiti, assuring that efforts are on to get the children and their teachers rescued.
The Governor, who described the kidnapping of the school pupils, as callous and unacceptable, said nothing would be spared in the efforts to rescue them.
According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, security agencies in the state are already on the trail of the abductors with a mandate to bring the pupils and their teachers back safely.
Governor Oyebanji said security is being stepped up across the state with a view to flushing out criminal elements from their hideouts.
While calling on the citizens to remain calm and vigilant, he urged them to cooperate with security agencies, by making available relevant information to the authorities.