Gunmen seized six pupils, three teachers, and a bus driver from a private school returning from Eporo-Ekiti on Monday night.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji assured citizens that security measures have been heightened, and efforts are underway to bring the victims safely back.

“The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has urged the citizens of the state not to despair over Monday’s kidnapping of some school pupils and their teachers in Emure- Ekiti, assuring that efforts are on to get the children and their teachers rescued,” the Tuesday statement from the Ekiti State Government read.

Describing the kidnapping as callous, the government emphasized its commitment to spare nothing in securing the release of the abducted individuals.

The Ekiti Government said “security agencies in the state are already on the trail of the abductors with a mandate to bring the pupils and their teachers back safely.

“Governor Oyebanji said security is being stepped up across the state with a view to flushing out criminal elements from their hideouts,” it added.

“While calling on the citizens to remain calm and vigilant, he urged them to cooperate with security agencies, by making available relevant information to the authorities.”