Kidnappers of Tulip college students, staff demand N1.2bn
The abductors of three students and five members of staff of the Nigeria Tulip International College (NTIC) have demanded N1.2bn ransom for the victims to be released.
Daily Trust learnt yesterday that the abductors called a family member of one of the victims to make the demand.
This was as the management of the school, formerly known as the Nigerian Turkish International College (NTIC) located at Isheri on the LagosIbadan Expressway, closed the school for one week for the situation to normalize.
The police authorities confirmed that the gunmen invaded the school about 9:30pm on Friday, dug their way in through the fence and took the victims away in a white Toyota Hilux vehicle.
A source who confirmed the demand for ransom, said, “They have been using the victims’ phone numbers to call their families. Each time the families try to negotiate, they would end the call.”
The source said the kidnappers were asking for N300 million ransom on each of the two Turkish nationals among the victims and N100 million each on the six other victims.
It was learnt that footage of the CCTV Cameras at the school hostel indicated that the kidnappers wore masks when they stormed the hostel. One of them reportedly wore skirt but the person is suspected to be a man.
Among the victims were two junior secondary school (JSS) students, one senior secondary school (SSS) student, three Nigerian workers and two Turkish staff.
Representative of Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris, AIG Zone 2, Aderanti Kayode and Commissioner of Police, Ogun Command, llliyasu Ahmed had visited the school to show support.
The State Police Command said yesterday the command was not aware of any demand for ransom. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Oyeyemi Abimbola said in a chat with Daily Trust, “we are not aware of that and we are not interested in the ransom. Our mandate is to get those victims released unhurt and to get the hoodlums arrested.”
The Ogun State government has also assured parents and relatives of the students and staff of the school of prompt action to ensure safe and immediate release of the kidnapped victims.
Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga also visited the school to restate the commitment of the government to safe and early release of the victims.
Meanwhile, spokesman of the school, Cemal Yigit confirmed to Daily Trust that the school would “be off for one week” to ease the tension. The closure, he said, would enable security agencies to do their work.