The Kogi State Government has announced the successful rescue of several students from the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene, who were abducted by gunmen last Thursday.
Although the exact number of rescued students remains undisclosed, the government credits the operation’s success to the decisive use of force by security forces and local vigilantes against the kidnappers.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.
According to the statement, “Some of the students abducted by gunmen at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, have been safely rescued by local hunters and other security agents.
“Local vigilantes and security forces engaged the kidnappers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, resulting in the kidnappers fleeing with gunshot wounds, while the abducted students scattered to evade capture during the confrontation.
“Many of the kidnapped students, along with other captives, have been rescued and are receiving medical attention, while additional rescues occurred in the early hours of today.”
Fanwo also mentioned that security personnel are actively searching the forests to locate and rescue the remaining students still in captivity.
The abduction occurred on Thursday night as the students were preparing for their upcoming exams. The bandits entered the university premises through the bush around 9 p.m., stormed three lecture halls, and fired shots into the air to intimidate the students.
In a statement issued the following day, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, assured the public of the safe return of the abducted students. He stated that the government had mobilized security forces to track down the kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of the students while apprehending the perpetrators.
The statement also acknowledged that “nine students” were reported missing as security forces and local hunters intensified efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.
During a visit to the school campus, Governor Ododo suggested the possibility of insider collaboration in the abduction of the nine students. He revealed that despite the installation of CCTV cameras throughout the university campus, all cameras were switched off during the attack, indicating possible sabotage by internal collaborators.
