Ambode vows to rescue abducted Secondary school girls

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode says his government
will spare no effort to ensure the safe return of the three
female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School
in Ikorodu area of the state, who were kidnapped by a group of
armed gang on Monday evening February 29th.
Ambode in a statement signed by the Commissioner for
Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde and released today
March 2nd, condemned the unfortunate incident, just as he
assured that the Police and other security operatives have
swung into action, with useful leads and with an unwavering
determination to track down the perpetrators of the act and
ensure the safe return of the girls.
“We have not been silent on this unfortunate
development. In a delicate security matter of this nature,
where young innocent people are involved and
management of information demands utmost circumspect,
we were convinced that swift and coordinated reaction,
guided by intelligence reports on the part of the Police,
was a better and more sensitive approach to take, rather
than a sensational, panic-stricken reaction”he said. He
said the State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni as
well as the Assistant Inspector General of Police for the
Lagos/Ogun Command were fully on ground at the scene
and vicinity of the incident leading the entire coordinated
effort involving every military apparatus. “We believe in
the capacity of the Police to lead this rescue mission. I
have had ceaseless briefing with them since the incident
happened and God helping us, we shall spare no effort in
securing the safe release of the girls and continue to
secure the school and indeed every part of Lagos”.
Governor Ambode said the incident may not be
unconnected with his recent visit to some parts of Ikorodu
where he read the riot act to vandals and criminal gangs
on the resolve of the state government to take the battle
to their hideouts in a spirited effort to secure the
pipelines. “We believe this is a case of evil fighting back.
But Lagos will neither succumb to threats of lawlessness
nor bow to terror. Our resolve is very clear; we will
assist the Police and other security agencies in dealing
decisively with this one unfortunate case and prevent
future reoccurrence. We will deploy the resources at our
disposal to safeguard every life and property within our
care,” he said.
Governor Ambode also recalled a similar incident in Arepo
area of Ogun State, where a senior staff of a leading
telecommunications agency was kidnapped three days
ago, however saying that he has gotten assurance from
both the Ogun State Police and Lagos Police Commands
on their collaborative efforts to tame the menace of
kidnapping and ensure return of order and safety. He also
commended the gallantry of the students of the school
who put up a courageous resistance to prevent the
abduction of their mates, just as he praised the mature
and measured response of the school management in the
wake of the incident. “The state government is with you in
bringing this unfortunate episode to a quick resolution. I
wish to appeal for calm and support of every Lagosian. I
urge them to be vigilant and helpful to the security
operatives in this onerous task to rid the state of every
form of criminality, cultism and terrorism,” he said.