Gunmen Abduct Kogi Varsity Students
In a typical commando-style operation, unknown gunmen on Thursday night stormed the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene in Kogi to abduct some unspecified students from the campus.
Reports indicated that the suspected bandits took everyone by surprise as they invaded the university premises at about 9.00 pm while the students were reading for their upcoming examinations
According to reliable sources, the gunmen, who made their into the university through the bush paths, stormed three lecture halls, shooting sporadically into the air as everyone ran helter-skelter for dear life.
One of the eyewitnesses, while recounting the unfortunate incident, said; “They (gunmen) trapped the students inside the halls and started taking them; the school was thrown into total confusion as fear-stricken students in other halls scurried to safety, scampering in various directions.
“By the time local security guards and the conventional security men at the gate engaged the bandits, they had already succeeded in abducting some of the students.
“However, their efforts minimised the damage as the invaders couldn’t go beyond the first three halls during the attack”.
Another insider, who refused to have his name in print for obvious reasons, hinted that the students were preparing for their first-semester examination expected to commence on Monday, 13th May 2024, when the criminal elements struck.
Also craving anonymity, one of the students who narrowly escaped being abducted by the gunmen, revealed that he and some other students ran into the bush where they hid for “more than an hour”.
He further narrated thus; “It was quite tormenting and a harrowing experience for everyone. We were only able to venture out of hiding when everywhere became quiet and we were sure the gunmen had beat a retreat from the campus”.
For now, palpable fear and anxiety have taken centre stage within the university community with many stakeholders worried about the whereabouts and well-being of the abducted students.
Meanwhile, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulrahman Asipita, who confirmed the attack, was not forthcoming with details of the incident or the number of students taken away by the bandits.
Pressed for more information, he retorted; “I don’t talk to journalists on incidents like this. But I want you to know that we are on top of the situation”.
However, efforts to contact the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State Mr Bethrand Onuoha, proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, even as the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara (rtd) was equally unavailable for comments.
