TheCable

Gunmen have kidnapped an unknown number of pupils of Apostolic Faith School from their school bus in Ekiti state.

The pupils were reportedly heading to Emure-Ekiti on Monday when their bus was intercepted at Eporo-Ekiti.

The pupils, a driver, and a teacher were kidnapped during the attack.

The gunmen abandoned the school bus conveying the pupils after the attack.

Confirming the incident, the Ekiti state government called on residents not to despair as efforts are underway to rescue the children.

“The 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 statement reads.

“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.”

The incident followed the murder of two traditional rulers by suspected kidnappers in Ekiti state.

The monarchs were said to be returning from a meeting in Irele-Ekiti when they were ambushed and gunned down.

The traditional rulers were identified as Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti; and Oba Olatunde Olusola, the Onimojo of Omojola-Ekiti.

ALAKE CONDEMNS ATTACK

In a statement on Tuesday, Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals, called on the Ekiti state police command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to rescue the abducted pupils.

Alake said the administration of President Bola Tinubu will continue to work very hard to improve the security situation in the country.

The minister sympathised with the people of the state over the murder of the two monarchs.

He called on security operatives to fish out the killers of the traditional rulers.