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Kogi State Government Announces Rescue of Abducted CUSTECH Students

Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 12, 2024

News Views: 271

The Kogi State government has confirmed the successful rescue of some of the kidnapped students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Osara, Adavi council area of the state. The rescue operation was carried out by security operatives in the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the government revealed that a group of the abducted students had been safely rescued. However, Fanwo did not specify the exact number of students rescued.

During the rescue operation, there was a crossfire between the abductors and security forces, resulting in injuries to a Department of State Services (DSS) officer and a member of the vigilante group.

The statement from Fanwo’s office highlighted the efforts of local hunters and security agents in engaging the kidnappers in a fierce shootout. The kidnappers, overwhelmed by superior firepower, fled the scene with gunshot wounds, leaving behind the kidnapped students who dispersed to evade capture.

The government assured that rescued students and other individuals held captive were receiving medical attention, while security personnel continued combing the forests to ensure the safe recovery of all kidnapped students.

The bravery and gallantry displayed by local hunters and security forces in confronting the outlaws were commended by the government. Special recognition was given to the DSS for coordinating the operation based on credible intelligence.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to ensuring robust security in Kogi State was reaffirmed, with the success of the rescue operation serving as a testament to the state’s unwavering stance against criminal elements.

Residents were urged to report individuals with gunshot wounds in their communities to law enforcement agencies to aid ongoing efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.

The abduction occurred on Thursday night when gunmen raided the school, targeting students who were preparing for upcoming exams scheduled to begin on Monday. The state government initially reported that nine students were abducted during the incident.