Police present rescued victims of Nigeria Turkish International College to Amosun

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Ahmed Iliyasu, on Wednesday presented the eight rescued staff and students of the Nigeria Turkish International College, Isheri in the state to Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Abeokuta.
The victims were abducted from the premises of the college on January 13 and rescued by the police on Tuesday in a bush close to the school around 7.30pm.
Iliyasu told Amosun that the abductors were forced to surrender the victims following intense pressure mounted on them by combined forces of the security personnel.
He said that the military, police and the operatives of the Department of State Services were involved in the rescue operation.
The police boss said that the police tracked and discovered the hideout of the hoodlums and the victims 24 hours after the abduction.
According to him, the combine forces had to strategise to ensure that the victims were rescued alive.
Iliyasu said: “Immediately after the incident, the police launched a manhunt on the kidnappers to identify their location.
“We actually discovered the location of the hoodlums 24 hours after the kidnap, but mindful of the safety of the victims.
“So, we continued to mount pressure on them with the help of the deployed Intelligence Response team of the Inspector-General of Police.”
Iliyasu said the operation was ongoing, adding that the police would now concentrate on the trail of the abductors.
He said: “Some high profile suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.”
The police commissioner, however, dismissed rumours that ransom was paid to the hoodlums for the release of the victims.
He commended the state government for the support accorded the police during the rescue mission and gave assurance that the history and standard of Ogun State as a peaceful state would be maintained.
The Managing Director of the School, Orhan Kertin, commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ogun State Government and the security agencies involved in the rescue of students and staff of the school.
He also commended the parents of the abducted students for demonstrating solidarity with the school during the trying period.
Kertin said that members of the management of the institution had sleepless night since the incident, but engaged in serious prayers.
Steve Nwosu, the Deputy Managing Director of the Sun Newspapers, who spoke on behalf of the parents, also commended everyone involved in the rescue of the victims.
Nwosu expressed confidence in the Nigerian police and other security agencies in the discharge of their duties.
Receiving the victims, Amosun expressed appreciation to President Buhari for the concern he showed since the incident.
He said that the President spoke with him more than four times, encouraging him and assuring him of his support.
Amosun also commended the police and other security agencies, including para-military agencies and local security outfits, that joined in the search, for their efforts.
Amosunn said: “The security agencies have continued to assure me that they were aware of the location of the hoodlums and their victims, but mindful of their safety in the course of rescuing them alive.
“I thank God that the incident has not spoilt my birthday, which is today, because there is no way I could have been happy on a day like this while the victims are still held hostage.”
Amosun, who described the incident as an embarrassment to Ogun State, gave the assurance that the abductors would definitely pay dearly for their action.
He said: “Ogun State is the industrial capital of Nigeria and has the highest number of industries in the country.
“It is the peaceful atmosphere that exists here that has motivated investors to establish their businesses in the state.
“We will therefore not allow criminals to discourage the investors through their criminal activities, destroy our goodwill and long standing cordial relationship between the state and the investors.”
Amosun said that the state would take some precautionary measures to forestall reoccurrence, through collaborative efforts between government and schools in the state to strengthen security at the institutions.
The victims, who spoke one after the other, gave thanks to God for their rescue and commended the state government and the security agencies for their roles in the operation.