The Kogi State Police Command has announced the successful rescue of fourteen abducted students from the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Okene in Kogi State.
News Central reports that bandits raided the university premises on Thursday night while students were preparing for their upcoming first semester examinations scheduled to begin Monday, May 13.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, confirmed the rescue, adding that operatives were still in the bush trying to find the rest of the students.
The state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha officially confirmed on Sunday in Lokoja that 14 of the kidnapped students had been rescued.
“A combined team of security operatives, including local hunters who ran after the bandits, successfully rescued 14 of the kidnapped students,” he said in a statement.
“One of the rescued students told us that 24 students were captured,” he disclosed.
“The operatives will not relent. We are determined to get the remaining students back alive and unhurt,” Onuoha assured.
Meanwhile, the Kogi state government, through Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, had earlier confirmed the development, but did not state the number of students rescued.
The Commissioner credited the successful operation to the combined efforts and gallantry of security forces and local vigilantes, which countered the kidnappers with a superior display of firepower.
“This is to inform the general public that some of the students abducted by gunmen at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, have been rescued safely by local hunters and other security agents.
“Local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.
“Many of the students kidnapped and even other people in captivity have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, while many others were also rescued in the early hours of today.
“The security agents are currently combining the forests to ensure that all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely.
“It is unfortunate, however, that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue our dear students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention.
“The success recorded so far is a clear testament to the readiness of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi State.
“We urge residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents,” Fanwo added.