Breaking News: Tragic Loss Amidst Liberation as Ekiti Abducted Pupils and Staff Regain Freedom

Following a harrowing seven days in captivity, the students and staff of Apostolic Faith Group School in Emure have been released by their abductors. The freed individuals comprise five students and three staff members, though tragically, the school bus driver, Taye Rasaki, fell victim to the kidnappers and lost his life.

The incident unfolded on a Monday when gunmen ambushed the bus carrying schoolchildren and staff back to their homes in Eporo. The assailants seized nine occupants, leaving the bus stranded on the road. Subsequently, the kidnappers contacted the families, demanding an initial ransom of N100 million for each of the nine hostages.

As tension mounted, the abductors later reduced their ransom demand to N15 million for the entire group, coupled with a threat to harm the victims if the payment wasn't made promptly. However, a turn of events occurred on Sunday morning when the bandits chose to release the captives.

Hon. Adebayo Oluwatosin, the Chairman of Emure Council Area in Ekiti State, confirmed the positive development, revealing that the victims were currently in the palace of the Elemure of Emure Ekiti. Regrettably, the driver lost his life during the ordeal, while the other eight individuals successfully regained their freedom.

The Ekiti Police Command Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, corroborated the information, stating, "All victims were rescued today at about 1:30 am, but unfortunately, we lost the driver who was unexpectedly killed by the abductors."