By Abiola Olawale
Some unknown armed men suspected to be bandits stormed the Confluence University of Science and Technology located in Osara, Okene area of Kogi State in the late hours of Thursday and reportedly abducted nine students of the institution.
According to reports, the armed men stormed the university around 9 pm, shooting sporadically into the air, and reportedly abducted about nine students who were reading for their upcoming examinations.
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.
The Kogi State Government has also confirmed the abduction of nine students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology.
This was contained in a statement issued by the state commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo.
Fanwo, in the statement, confirmed that Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi state received the disturbing reports on Thursday and has since alerted the security agents who are on the trail of the abductors.
He assured that the state government is working to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
The statement reads in part: “The Kogi State Government received 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 were 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 the safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped in the classrooms. So far, nine students have been reported missing.
“We wish to commend the local hunters and other security agents who rose stoutly to engage the kidnappers. 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.”
