By Ken Afor
Troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force NPF) and other security agencies have rescued eight students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State, who were kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday, May, 9, 2024.
In a statement issued via the X account of the Nigerian Army on Sunday evening, it was revealed that the rescue operation took place in a dense forest near Oro Ago Village in Kwara State, following an intense clearance mission by the collaborating troops and security operatives.
According to the statement, the search efforts were concentrated along the Gbugu, Pategi, and Oro Ago Axis, including areas such as Babasango and Babanla.
The statement noted that the operation was part of an ongoing counter-terrorism mission in the South West region.
“Consequently, the troops detected the movement of the terrorists, who were attempting to relocate their hostages. As troops approached the terrorists’ location, the terrorists abandoned the students and fled into the forest. The rescued students have been safely evacuated and handed over to the authorities of Kogi State Government for further action and reunion with their families,” the Army stated.
The New Diplomat reports that tragedy struck in the late hours of last Thursday, May 9, when some armed men, suspected to be bandits, stormed the institution located in Osara, Okene area of Kogi State and abducted an unspecified number of students.
The armed men were said to have entered the university premises through a nearby bush, and went straight into about three lecture halls where they wreaked havoc.
On 16th May, 2024, the Nigerian Police announced the rescue of seven students who were kidnapped from the institution.
Prior to the rescue, there was an initial rescue of 14 students on Sunday, May 12, and six on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
Sunday’s update by the Nigerian Army brings the number of freed students from captivity to 35.
