Gunmen strike again barely seven months after previous school kidnapping
Epe, Lagos — May 25, 2017In a brazen attack that has reignited fears over school security in Lagos State, gunmen stormed the Lagos State Model College in Igbonla, Epe, in the early hours of Thursday and abducted six male students.
The attack, which took place at about 6:00 a.m., marks the second time in seven months that kidnappers have targeted the same school. In October 2016, four students and two staff members were abducted in a similar fashion.
Gunmen Breach School Fence, Escape Through Waterways
According to eyewitness reports, the assailants—estimated to be more than 15 in number—gained access to the school through a hole dug in the perimeter fence that backs onto the swampy Imeru/Iji creeks.
Armed and unmasked, with one reportedly dressed in a police uniform, the kidnappers stormed the boys' hostel while most students were preparing for the day. Initial chaos ensued as 10 students were seized, but four were later freed after the attackers profiled their parents and deemed them unworthy targets.
The six students abducted have been identified as:
- Peter Jonah
- Isiaq Rahmon
- Adebayo George
- Judah Agbausi
- Pelumi Philips
- Farouq Yusuf
Survivors Recount Ordeal
Several students spoke of the traumatic experience. One, who gave his name as Daniel, said he was taking a bath when the gunmen broke into the hostel.
"They broke down our doors and started dragging boys out. I hid in the bathroom and prayed they wouldn't find me," he said.
Another student, recovering in the school sickbay, said he dived under the bed as gunshots rang out.
"Everybody was scared. We didn’t know if they would take all of us or kill someone."
Parents Outraged by Security Failures
News of the kidnapping triggered panic, with distraught parents rushing to the school, some breaking down in tears.
Maruf Rahmon, father of abducted student Isiaq Rahmon, said parents were not informed of a threat letter reportedly received by the school days earlier.
“They told us the kidnappers had written them, but we were not warned. If I had known, I would have taken my son home.”
Mrs. Riskat Odunukan, whose son Jubril was spared, decried the school’s failure to act on previous recommendations, which included installing CCTV cameras, reinforcing the fence, and clearing surrounding bushes.
“The school has done nothing since the October kidnapping. They ignored every suggestion we gave them,” she said.
Another parent, Isiaq Yusuf, expressed helplessness:
“They’re telling us to be patient, but a child is not a goat.”
Government and Police Launch Rescue Operation
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who visited the school, confirmed that a full investigation and coordinated rescue effort was underway.
“The act of abducting innocent schoolchildren is sheer wickedness. We are exploring all leads and deploying all necessary resources to rescue the students safely.”
A senior officer speaking anonymously noted the challenges ahead.
“The kidnappers escaped via the river. That river connects to multiple states. Rainfall has also made tracking them difficult. We’re working on a strategy.”
Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) assured families that the state government was in active collaboration with security agencies to secure the students' release.
School Faces Communication Backlash
The incident also exposed the school’s poor communication infrastructure. Parents who couldn't reach the school turned to social media, only to discover that the school’s platforms were outdated and rarely updated.
The school’s Twitter handle, last active in 2013, and its Instagram page, with just one post from 2016, provided no useful updates. Many parents learned of the incident from news reports and WhatsApp parent groups rather than from the school administration.
Second Attack in Seven Months
This marks the second abduction from Igbonla Model College in less than a year. On October 6, 2016, gunmen similarly accessed the school through the creeks and kidnapped two staff and four students. Though they were later released after weeks in captivity, the trauma lingers for many.
An ex-student, Tomiwa Temilayo, wrote on Facebook:
“This is the second time in less than a year. Please save our students, teachers, and parents from this fear of abduction.”
Call for Urgent Action
The attack has sparked fresh calls for the Lagos State Government to reassess and reinforce security in public schools, especially those located near vulnerable terrain like creeks or forests.
As the rescue mission intensifies, affected families, school staff, and the larger Lagos community await hopeful news on the safe return of the six abducted boys. There has been an up surge in kidnappings across the country in the last two years and there is an urgent need for government to nip the menace in the bud before it becomes an existential crises.
Time lines of Major Kidnappings across the country in the last two years
2017
January 2017 – Lagos State
Incident: Kidnap of a Turkish expatriate and others by Niger Delta militants in Rivers and Lagos States.
Details: Multiple abductions of oil workers throughout the year.
May 2017 – Abuja-Kaduna Road
Incident: Several travelers abducted by armed gangs.
Details: Abuja-Kaduna highway became notorious for frequent kidnappings.
Government Response: Deployment of special police and military units
Incident: Kidnap of a Turkish expatriate and others by Niger Delta militants in Rivers and Lagos States.
Details: Multiple abductions of oil workers throughout the year.
May 2017 – Abuja-Kaduna Road
Incident: Several travelers abducted by armed gangs.
Details: Abuja-Kaduna highway became notorious for frequent kidnappings.
Government Response: Deployment of special police and military units
2016
February 2016 – Ikorodu, Lagos State
Victims: 3 schoolgirls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary
Details: Kidnapped by armed men who invaded the school.
Resolution: Rescued by police within a week; several suspects arrested.
March 2016 – Kogi State
Victim: Col. Samaila Inusa (Nigerian Army officer)
Details: Abducted in Kaduna, later found murdered.
Impact: Sparked outrage and tightened military response to kidnapping.
June 2016 – Ogun State
Victims: Senator Iyabo Anisulowo
Details: Kidnapped on the road and held for 7 days.
Resolution: Rescued by police without ransom.
October 2016 – Lagos State
Incident: Four schoolboys kidnapped from Igbonla Model College, Epe.
Details: Abductors escaped through the creeks.
Resolution: Released after ransom was reportedly paid.
2015
February 2015 – Gumsuri Village, Borno State
Incident: Boko Haram militants abducted over 30 people, mostly women and children.
Context: This came months after the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction and was part of Boko Haram's campaign in the North-East.
April 2015 – Lagos State
Victims: Orekoya children (3 siblings aged 6, 4, and 11 months)
Details: Kidnapped by their nanny hired via OLX.
Resolution: Rescued by police after 6 days; ransom of N2 million was reportedly paid.
May 2015- Ibadan, Oyo state
February 2016 – Ikorodu, Lagos State
Victims: 3 schoolgirls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary
Details: Kidnapped by armed men who invaded the school.
Resolution: Rescued by police within a week; several suspects arrested.
March 2016 – Kogi State
Victim: Col. Samaila Inusa (Nigerian Army officer)
Details: Abducted in Kaduna, later found murdered.
Impact: Sparked outrage and tightened military response to kidnapping.
June 2016 – Ogun State
Victims: Senator Iyabo Anisulowo
Details: Kidnapped on the road and held for 7 days.
Resolution: Rescued by police without ransom.
October 2016 – Lagos State
Incident: Four schoolboys kidnapped from Igbonla Model College, Epe.
Details: Abductors escaped through the creeks.
Resolution: Released after ransom was reportedly paid.
2015
February 2015 – Gumsuri Village, Borno State
Incident: Boko Haram militants abducted over 30 people, mostly women and children.
Context: This came months after the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction and was part of Boko Haram's campaign in the North-East.
April 2015 – Lagos State
Victims: Orekoya children (3 siblings aged 6, 4, and 11 months)
Details: Kidnapped by their nanny hired via OLX.
Resolution: Rescued by police after 6 days; ransom of N2 million was reportedly paid.
May 2015- Ibadan, Oyo state
Victims:- Oluwatosin Odugbemi, Kazeem O Sangogade Olusoji, Suara Adewale and Oladele Kamoru
Details:- Civil Servants kidnapped, blindfolded and driven 3hrs away into the outskirt of the state in the forest around Shaki area, beaten and left to die.
Resolution:- Rescued two days later by local farmers. Victims alledged abduction was politically motivated.
June 2015- Calabar, Cross river state
Victim:- Pastor Seyi Adekunle
Details:- Pastor Seyi a winners chapel pastor was kidnapped by gun men along IBB way, Calabar
Resolution:- After negotiations lasting three days, some money exchanged hands and he was set free six days after the kidnapping
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