…we have deployed our men to rescue the student – Police
…we are yet to ascertain the number of abducted students-VC
The Kogi State University of Science and Technology Osara, on Thursday evening came under attack by gunmen suspected to be armed bandits, taking away several students.
New Telegraph gathered that the bandits came in their large number into the school premises, and began to shoot aimlessly.
The gunmen were also said to be confronted by Local Security in a gun duel that lasted for almost an hour, even though the bandits, eventually escaped with their victims.
Some of the students who survived the attack recounted how the hoodlums invaded the school around 9:pm and went straight to lecture halls where the students were having tutorials preparatory for their upcoming first semester exams.
The students equally lamented that the number of abducted students would have been less, if the management had listened to the plea of students to open the mini gate that lead into the main town.
According to them, the students were left with the only main gate to escape.
The Kogi Police Command in a statement issued by its spokesman, SP William Aya confirmed the incident, adding that tactical teams have already been deployed to rescue the abducted students.
“CP has deploys tactical teams comprises of the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism, Quick Response Unit, Intelligence Units, Anti-Kidnapping working in synergy with the Military, DSS, Local Vigilante, Hunters in trailing the hoodlums with a view to rescue the victims, arrest the perpetrators,” he added.
Also commenting on the attack, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu, in a statement issued by the school authority on Friday said, the gunmen invaded the school at exactly 8:23 p.m of Thursday.
“This is to inform the general public that Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara experienced an unfortunate security incident on Thursday 9th May, 2024 around 8:23 p.m.”
“Some of our students who were gathered for tutorials ahead of their First Semester Examinations scheduled to commence on Monday 13th May, 2024 were abducted. The exact number of our students involved is being ascertained at the moment.”
“Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and the State Security Adviser, Cmdr. Jerry Omodara as well as the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu together with the Management Staff swung into action immediately they got wind of the unpleasant news by deploying members of various security agencies on a rescue mission.”
“His Excellency, Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State has directed that CUSTECH will remain in session and that the students abducted will be returned back unhurt.”
“We want to allay the fears of the public and also assure parents and guardians of our dear students that must have been involved in the incident that no stone will be left unturned till we have them back safely into our fold at CUSTECH.
“We do understand the present anxiety that this has generated based on this, parents who want their wards out of the campus can go ahead with such a decision as lectures and9th May, 2024 around 8:23 p.m. examinations are kept on hold for now till further notice.
“We are assuring parents and guardians who will want their children to remain on campus not to fret over their safety as the situation is under control at the moment.”
“We will continue to update the public on the progress we are making for the safe return of our students involved. Also and as always, proactive security measures will continue to be taken for the safety of our dear students under our care,” the statement added.