News of the kidnap of six students of Igbonla Model College broke on May 25. Gunmen had stormed the school two days after writing a letter to announce their visit.

The kidnappers reportedly profiled 10 students before taking away six of them.

After spending 64 days in the kidnappers’ custody, the pupils were finally found in Ondo state and transported to Lagos.

However, while they were in custody, Nigerians continued to wonder where the pupils are and why the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has been silent about the issue.

Here’s a timeline of how they were captured, parents expressed worry and the pupils were rescued.

May 25, 2017: Kidnappers stormed Igbonla Model College in Epe and abducted 6 students.

The gunmen reportedly invaded the school at 6am through the back and seized 10 male students.

They were later profiled, before 4 were allowed to go.

The students kidnapped are Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf.

It was reported that the gunmen had written the school authorities three days before the incident, informing them of the attack.

May 28, 2017: The kidnappers demanded N1bn as ransom for the release of the students.

While two of them were reportedly asked to pay N400m each, another two were told to raise N100m per child.

June 3, 2017: Parents of the kidnapped pupils told Vanguard that the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N100 million.

Two parents revealed that they received calls from the abductors.

June 5, 2017: There were reports that the police have discovered where six pupils of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, are held in a creek in Ogun State.

June 7, 2017: Parents of the kidnapped students held a protest at the office of Governor Ambode to demand the rescue of their children.

The parents claimed that they had communicated with the kidnappers and some of them had been told that four of their children were ill, and would no longer negotiate with the government.

June 16, 2017: Reports emanated that parents of the pupils paid a ransom of N31 million.

According to the report, some parents took the money to an undisclosed place and paid in two tranches.

June 17, 2017: One of the parents of the pupils said the kidnappers stopped communicating after she paid N10 million.

“They were angry that we brought just N10m. They said they would take nothing less than N50m. Now we are all in panic because they have refused to speak with us since that day,” she said.

“Some people sold their houses, some others, valuable property. We have reached the wall now. All our hope is in prayers,” she added.

 June 19, 2017: The Nigeria Police assured parents of the kidnapped boys that they would be returned safely.

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 2, comprising of Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, Adamu Ibrahim made the promise on Channels TV.

The Lagos state commissioner of police, Fatai Owoseni also stated that the kidnapped students are fine. Owoseni said the police were committed to rescuing the children.

June 20, 2017: Parents lamented that the Lagos State government has refused to talk to them.

They stated that there have been no development on rescue efforts

One of them said, “We have not heard from the kidnappers since Sunday, June 11, when they asked us to raise additional N40m ransom. The parents raised the N10m when we didn’t get any response from the government. The Lagos State Government is not talking to us.”

June 23, 2017: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode said he feels inadequate being unable to quickly rescue pupils kidnapped from the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla-Epe.

He added that he was working tirelessly to ensure they return safely.

July 23, 2017: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo assured that the Federal Government is working with the State government to ensure the release of the kidnapped Epe school boys.

He urged parents and guardians of boys not to lose hope.

July 28, 2017: Officers of the Nigeria Police rescued the six school students in Ondo State.

The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) also confirmed the release of the boys on Twitter.

In responding to the release, the Lagos State government expressed excitement over the release of the pupils. The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde congratulated the parents of the students and all concerned stakeholders over the development.

The Presidency also commended the efforts of the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders who ensured the release of the boys.

July 29, 2017: The Lagos state police command said 20 kidnappers were killed in the process of rescuing the six abducted students of Igbonla-Epe Model College.

It regretted that one civilian volunteer died during the rescue process while eight policemen and four other civilian volunteers sustained injuries.

July 30, 2017: One of the kidnapped pupil, Ramon Isiaq said they were maltreated by the kidnappers.

He said the kidnappers exposed he and his colleagues to rain at the camp where they kept.

He said they were fed with poorly cooked food and that they were only allowed to bathe once in a week.

July 31, 2017: Another pupil explained how they attempted to escape from the den when it became apparent that the kidnappers were not in a hurry to release them.

The student also narrated how a fisherman who showed the kidnappers the route out of Igbonla on the day of the kidnap was killed.