The Pupils and staff of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti in Ekiti State, who were kidnapped on Monday, January 29, 2024, have regained their freedom.
PrimeStar News cannot ascertain whether or not ransom was paid to the kidnappers before the captured people were released.
It was gathered that three of the kidnapped children are siblings.
The kidnappers had earlier demanded N90 million, which was later reduced to N15 million, of which the families of the kidnapped individuals begged the kidnappers to accept N7 million raised. The kidnappers turned down the N7 million, saying that they would not release the kidnapped victims until they were paid N15 million.
Gunmen had on January 29 attacked a bus conveying the schoolchildren and staff from school back to their homes at Eporo and whisked nine among the occupants away to an unknown destination in the forest.
According to the information gathered, the kidnapped victims were released on Sunday, February 4, 2024, after spending almost seven days in captivity.
However, according to a video clip trending, the bus driver identified as Taye Rasaki was killed in the forest.
Information further revealed that the released kidnapped victims were taken to the palace of the king of Emure, the town where they were kidnapped.
Since they were kidnapped, the authority of the Apostolic Faith Church had declared a national prayer.
The church suspended its services on Sunday, February 4 to hold prayer meetings in all its branches in the West and Central Africa.
Upon the release of the kidnapped people, the church announced that prayer of praise and thanksgiving be held till evening.
