Details of the collaborative efforts of three State governors and security agencies to facilitate the release of students of a secondary school in Lagos have emerged in Abuja.
Said a knowledgeable source who followed the efforts every step of the way: “It took the hard work of the Lagos State Governor and the significant collaboration of the governors of Ondo and Delta State to secure the release of the kidnap school boys.
“While the Lagos State Governor had worked so hard on breaking the case, it was discovered that the boys were held around the coastal waterways of Ondo State.
“This was where the coordination of the Federal Government became even much more compelling pulling in both civil and military security agencies like the Police, SSS and the Nigerian Navy to work with the Lagos State Governor and also the Ondo State government whose deputy Governor played a crucial role in ensuring the eventual release of the boys.
“Both the Delta State Governor and his deputy also supplied what sources described as “important support” to the process that facilitated the release, while the Nigerian Navy were said to be responsible for providing the required military logistics that eased the release yesterday afternoon.
“The other security agencies like the SSS and Police also played active roles, and with the Navy, joined the Lagos, Ondo and Delta state governments in the final talks that produced freedom for the boys about two months ago.
“But no additional ransom was paid, “according to the sources.
Recall that lastSunday while speaking to reporters in Lagos, the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo assured the parents and families of the boys that soon the boys would return home.
He praised the Lagos State Governor for the efforts of the State government in dealing with the situation and added that other States were also collaborating with Lagos State and the Federal Government in ensuring the freedom of the abducted boys.
After a little over two months Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf, were set free today.
They were abducted by gunmen from their school, Igbonla Government College, on May 25, 2017.
The media had reported that a total of N30 million was paid to the kidnappers in two tranches of N10 million and N20 million respectively but nothing came out of it.
It was even reported that the gang asked for an additional N1.5 million to transport the boys.