Masked Gunmen Abduct 12-Year-Old Schoolgirl in Ibadan's Challenge Area
The Oyo State Police Command has officially confirmed the abduction of a 12-year-old female student in the Challenge area of Ibadan, describing the incident as a suspected kidnapping and assuring the public that intensive efforts are underway to rescue her safely.
Details of the Early Morning Attack
The victim, a Junior Secondary School 2 pupil at Monarch Model College, was reportedly abducted in the early hours of Thursday, February 12, while being dropped off at school. Eyewitnesses recounted that masked assailants in an unmarked vehicle trailed the girl's mother before launching their attack at a junction near the school premises.
The armed gunmen fired shots into the air to disperse residents and punctured the tyre of the mother's Toyota RAV4 with Lagos registration number KRD 350 GP. Despite resistance from the mother, the student was forcibly taken away as the abductors fled through the Challenge area, leaving the community in shock.
Police Response and Investigation
The incident was immediately reported at the Orita Challenge Police Station, where officers visited the scene with the victim's mother for a preliminary assessment. Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olusola Olayinka Ayanlade, provided crucial details.
"Preliminary information indicates that at about 7:20 a.m., a 12-year-old female student of a private secondary school in the area was allegedly abducted by unknown armed men at a junction leading to the school premises as she was alighting from a vehicle that conveyed her to school," stated DSP Ayanlade.
The police spokesperson confirmed that detectives were promptly deployed to the scene, and eyewitnesses were thoroughly questioned to provide leads for ongoing investigations. The victim's parents are working closely with law enforcement authorities to support the rescue operation.
Commissioner's Directive for Comprehensive Investigation
The State Police Commissioner, CP Femi Haruna, has ordered a comprehensive, intelligence-driven investigation into the incident. This directive aims to ensure the safe rescue of the child and bring the perpetrators to justice, reflecting the police's commitment to addressing security challenges in the state.
The abduction has raised concerns about security around educational institutions in Ibadan, prompting calls for enhanced protection measures for students and parents during school hours.
