Unknown gun men have attacked Kogi State University of Science and Technology in Osara, kidnaping an unspecified number of students at the wee hours of Friday.
A source in the university claimed that over 70 students were said to be missing during the unfortunate incident.
The sad event occured at about 1 am on Friday while students were in the class for tutorial for their first semester examination.
The bandits were said to have wounded some students who escaped from being kidnapped.
The state is enveloped with fear and anxiety as this incident happened few days after 20 persons were killed in Bagana in Abejukolo of Omala local government area of the state by yet to be identified people.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, professor Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu who confirmed the incident through official statement by the institution, pleaded with parents not to panic as efforts were being put into rescuing the students.
The university authority who could not ascertain the number of the students abducted including the ones that sustained injuries from the security breach said, “This is to inform the general public that Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara experienced an unfortunate security incidence 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 not being ascertained at the moment.
“His Excellency, 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 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 wants their wards out of the campus can go ahead with such a decision as lectures and 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.”
The university promised to update the public on the progress they are making for the safe return of the students involved.
