Parents, principal, bishop commend Lagos on schoolgirls’ rescue

• Assembly, APC, PDP laud CP, security agents
• ‘Rescued pupils back in school’
Parents of the abducted three students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary in Ikorodu yesterday paid a ‘thank you visit’ to Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the rescue of the school girls.

The parents, accompanied by Principal of the school, Ven. Olaoluwa Adeyemi and Anglican Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Most Rev. Adebayo Dada Akinde, commended the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, saying the prompt, positive and practical response of the government contributed largely to the success story of the safe rescue of the three female students.

In a related development, the State House of Assembly also commended the Commissioner of Police (CP) and other security agencies for commitment to duty in the rescue of the girls within a week.

Of particular mention was the relocation of the CP, Fatai Owoseni, to Ikorodu, to supervise the search and rescue effort in the wake of the abduction.

Bishop Akinde, who led other bishops of the Anglican Church to the governor, said that the success story of the rescue of the girls could not be complete without the laudable efforts of the Lagos State government.

He said that they had deemed it fit to appreciate the role played by the state government in the wake of the abduction of the students from the school and particularly the role of Ambode.

According to him: “It was a most traumatic moment and sad for us as proprietors. Today, we are thanking God for His intervention that a most unfortunate and traumatic event ended on a joyous note.

“All the three pupils are now safe in the custody of their parents, they have been reunited. You acted and responded. Your response was prompt, your response was positive, your response was practical.”

Principal of the school, Ven. Adeyemi, said they were indeed grateful for the support, encouragement and prayers they received from several quarters while the ordeal lasted.

He said with the security apparatus put in place by the state government, it was game over for those who have taken to crimes in Lagos.

“No hiding place for criminals in Lagos now because for the event that took place in the past few days and that God in his infinite mercy helped us and the security agencies did their work well and the girls are with us now. They are back in school and have reunited with their parents. I believe that God is working in Lagos,” he said.

One of the parents of the rescued girls, Ven. Ayo Olusan, said they were relieved with the return of their girls, saying the prayers offered by Nigerians and the prompt effort of the state government played a huge role towards the rescue of the girls.

Responding, Ambode said the incident was a test of the government’s commitment to the security of lives and property in the state.

He said: “Seven days ago, the unthinkable happened, but again, we give all the glory to God that seven days after we are able to pride ourselves that one of those principal duties that you have charged this administration with is what we have just proved.”

Majority Leader of the Lagos Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade, said while the entire Lagos was commending the gallant effort of all involved, the entire people of Ikorodu and the traditional rulers still want the police to take a closer look at Igbokuta (where the girls were rescued) and comb it properly because of one too many criminal activities that had gone down in the area.

Also, the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday lauded the state government and security agencies for the speedy rescue of the kidnapped secondary school students in Ikorodu.

In a statement yesterday, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the quick rescue of the kidnapped schoolgirls and the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime “has shown that the state is ready and prepared to deal criminality a lasting blow. It warns perpetrators of crimes that the state government will not desist from making Lagos a no-go-area for criminals.”

Similarly, the PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, stated: “We commend all the forces which participated in the rescue of the three school girls. Particularly, we want to say that the state government, led by the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, demonstrated leadership by coming out to take specific role, which led to the success of the operation. That is worth commending.”

Meanwhile, the three schoolgirls who were rescued from their abductors have resumed studies yesterday at their school.
An administrative member of staff of the seminary, who pleaded anonymity, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the school that the girls had joined their schoolmates for revision classes ahead of their examination starting next week.

“The girls are back in school and they are also preparing for their forthcoming examinations.“This week is for revision and examinations will commence fully next week,” he said.