. Kidnappers Demand N400m
The Governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the state government would do all within its power to get the six pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, who were abducted on Thursday, out of the kidnappers’ den unhurt.
This comes as the kidnappers have got in touch with the parents of the children and have demanded a N400 million ransom for their release
Speaking at the Agege Stadium during the 2017 Children’s Day celebration, Ambode said the celebration would not be complete without rescuing those innocent pupils and returning them to school to continue their education insisting that the State Government would do everything possible to ensure that the six pupils are rescued unhurt and reunited with their parents.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Ambode reassured Lagosians that action was in progress to get them out and pledged that government would stop at nothing to ensure that kidnapping and other criminal activities are stopped adding that government was committed to protecting children in the state from any form of abuse, child labour or molestation by religiously implementing the Child Rights Law and the Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
The Governor, who said that this year’s Children’s Day celebration was a unique one as the state is equally celebrating the 50th year anniversary of its creation, asked the children to remain focused, believe in themselves and set target that would make them attain greatness in life, promising that his government will continue to create opportunities and implement policies that would help them to become the best of what they can without any barriers.
“As we celebrate this year’s Children’s Day and the 50th anniversary of our state, I want you to believe that you too can achieve greatness. You must believe in yourself and in your dreams,” he said.
“Very soon, it will be your responsibility to take Lagos state to the level that we all desired in the next 50 years. You are agents of change and I urge you, do not just go through life, make a difference, impact life and affect your community. What we are doing today is to lay a solid foundation for you to build on.
“As a government, we recognize our responsibility to create opportunities for you to become the best you can be without any barrier, this is why in the last two years, we have invested massively in the infrastructural and manpower development in our public schools. Our plan which is being realized is to restore public confidence in our public schools.”