American International School, Lagos, has rescheduled its party till April 27, 2013, due to the kidnap of a pupil identified as Afolabi Adeniji.
The schools Superintendent, Mr. Tim Travers, in a statement, said although the incident was difficult for the institution, the school was optimistic about his safe return.
He said, “Afolabi is an 11th grade student. We remain very optimistic that he will return home and back to school, safe and sound.
“The father still wishes that other details of the situation are not shared at this time due to the investigation, but did share positive developments in the case.
“We will provide an opportunity for the high school students to discuss this event during their academic period. We know this has been a very difficult period for everyone, and we want to give the high school students an opportunity to talk and process this incident. In addition, it has been decided to postpone the prom, which had been scheduled for last Saturday night.
“We called the Oriental Hotel and explained the situation and they could not have been more understanding and accommodating. We have tentatively re-booked the event for April 27.
“Hopefully, by then, he will be back at home and back at school.”
The PUNCH had on April 18, 2013, reported that the pupil was last seen in his parents’ Sports Utility Vehicle on his way to school last Tuesday.
The whereabouts of the driver, who was taking him to school, was also unknown.
The police were however able to track the vehicle to the Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki.
The acting spokesperson for the state police command, Damascus Ozoani, said CCTV footage obtained from the mall showed one person alighting from the vehicle. He however said the case could not be ruled as a kidnap since no ransom had been demanded.
He said, “We cannot call this a case of kidnap, because the kidnappers have not asked for a ransom from the family yet. It is still treated as a case of a missing person.”
