How gunmen invaded boarding school Monday night •Parents besiege school •Bishops hold marathon prayer

The Anglican community in Lagos State and schools around Ikorodu have been thrown into confusion following the abduction of three female students by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

 Preliminary investigations are linking the abduction of the students to suspected pipeline vandals, who have been having challenges with the joint task force on pipeline protection.

The three students: Olisa Oluwatimilehin, Popo Olaniyan Tofunmi and Akinayo Deborah are all in Senior Secondary School (SSS) 2 and are between the ages of 14 and 15.

The students were in their hostel at the Babinton Macaulay Junior Seminary School, at Agufoye Lugbusi area of Ikorodu, when the incident happened.

The abduction of the students came barely less than two weeks after a similar incident was foiled at the Government Model School in Owutu area of Ikorodu

 The police led by the commissioner of police in the state, Fatai Owoseni, on Tuesday combed the bush around the school in search of the abducted students.

Lagos Metro gathered that the gunmen, who were about 10 in number, stormed the school around 8:30 p.m. on Monday. The heavily-armed men reportedly threatened the students and the security man on guard, before selecting three out of the children.

A version of the abduction had it that the gunmen came in a pickup van, which was parked at a far distance.

Another version also had it that the abductors led the children through the swampy bushy path at the back of the school.

The helicopter, belonging to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) was seen hovering over the bush at the back of the school for most part of Tuesday.

Certain members of the school leadership were reportedly quizzed by the rescue team and the security man was also said to have been questioned on the circumstances leading to their abduction.

No arrest had been made.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmus confirmed the abduction to Lagos Metro and added that the police had begun investigations into how the whole incident took place.

The school is owned by the four Diocese in Lagos, namely Badagry, Lagos West, Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island.

Five bishops of the church were on ground in the school today to pray for the quick return of the abducted girls.

When contacted for more updates on the abduction, the school principal, Venerable Olaoluwa Adeyemi didn’t pick calls to his mobile line nor replied the text messages sent.

The Lagos State commissioner for information, Steve Ayorinde in a statement made available to Lagos Metro said, “The students have not been released yet but the Commissioner of Police is coordinating the joint effort with the security agencies to ensure their safe and speedy release. Governor Akinwumi Ambode is giving them every needed support and the parents of the affected pupils have been reassured on these coordinated efforts.

“The Lagos state government and the good people of Lagos state are solidly behind the police and security operatives not only to track down the perpetrators and bring back the girls in one piece but to also root out every form of kidnapping, armed banditry and cultism from the state.”

 Nigerian Tribune