The Kogi State Government has reacted to the news of attack and abduction of students from the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, near Okene, on Thursday night, saying it has immediately deployed security agents to trail the kidnappers and ensure that the abducted victims were rescued and the kidnappers apprehended.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, on Friday morning.
He said, “The Kogi State Government received a very disturbing news at about 21.00 hrs, Thursday, 9th May, 2024 that the Confluence University of Science and Technology was invaded by kidnappers.
“Immediately the report was received, the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.
“Hundreds of local hunters who understand the terrain as well as the conventional security agents are currently combing the area to ensure safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped in the classrooms. So far, nine students have been reported missing.
“We wish to assure students, parents and the entire people of Kogi State that the Government is on top of the situation and all the abducted students will be rescued alive. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has also directed that security agents be positioned around all tertiary institutions in the State.”
The state government commended the local hunters and other security agents who rose stoutly to engage the kidnappers, adding that their gallantry and dedication ensured that the kidnappers did not have a field day which would have been more calamitous.
“The State Government will spare nothing in ensuring that all the students abducted are safely rescued and reunited with their families. We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail,” the statement added.
LEADERSHIP reports that bandits stormed the CUSTEC late Thursday night, abducting several students.
Eyewitnesses reported that the armed assailants attacked the university around 9pm while the students were preparing for their upcoming first semester exams, expected to commence on Monday, May 13, 2024.
The bandits, who gained entry through the bush, infiltrated three lecture halls, firing gunshots into the air to instill fear and subdue their targets.
“They trapped the students inside the halls and started taking them; the school was thrown into total confusion as fear-stricken students in other halls scurried to safety, scampering in various directions,” one source recounted.
Local security guards and conventional security personnel stationed at the gate engaged the bandits, reducing the extent of the damage. However, the bandits managed to abduct some students before they could be repelled.
“But the efforts minimized the damage as the attackers didn’t go beyond the first three halls,” the source added.
A student, who sought anonymity, disclosed that he and some colleagues fled into the bush, where they remained hidden for over an hour. “We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he recounted.
Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, Vice-Chancellor of CUSTEC, confirmed the incident but declined to disclose the number of students abducted. “I don’t talk to journalists on incidents like this, but I want you to know that we are on top of the situation,” he said.
Efforts to reach Mr. Bethrand Onuoha, Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, proved unsuccessful. Similarly, calls placed to Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, State Security Adviser, went unanswered.
Abduction for ransom has become a grim trend in several parts of the country. In February, gunmen kidnapped nine travellers along the Kabba/Obajana/Lokoja Road in Oshokoshoko, Kogi State.
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