Persons suspected to be bandits on Thursday night attacked the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene in Kogi, and abducted some students.
An eye witness account indicated that the bandits swooped on the university around 9.00 p.m. while the students were reading for their upcoming exams.
The source said that the bandits came in through the bush, went into three lecture halls and began to shoot into the air to scare the students.
“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.
“By the time local security guards and the conventional security men at the gate engaged the bandits, they had already succeeded in abducting some students.
“But the efforts minimised the damage as the attackers didn’t go beyond the first three halls,” the source said.
According to the source, the students were preparing for their first semester examination expected to commence on Monday, May 13, when the bandits struck.
A student, who craved anonymity, said that he and some colleagues ran to the bush and hid there for “more than an hour.”
“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.
Contacted, CUSTEC Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, confirmed the incident but refused to give details of 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 the Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, were not successful.
Retired Cdre Jerry Omodara, State Security Adviser, could equally not be reached for comments as calls to his line were not picked nor returned.
Reacting, the Kogi State Government confirmed the abduction, saying nine students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene.were abducted.
The State Governor, Usman Ododo, has however, assured of the safe return of the abducted students.
In a statement issued on Friday by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, it noted that immediately the report was received, the governor “activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.”
Fanwo stated that while “nine students have been reported missing,” security operatives and local hunters are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students.
The statement read, “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. Immediatelythe 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.”
The statement added that the state government wishes “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.”
Additional report NAN
