On Thursday evening, some students were kidnapped by bandits who broke into the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Okene, Kogi State.
According to an eyewitness testimony, the bandits ambushed the campus at around 9 p.m. as the students were studying for their impending examinations.
According to the informant, the bandits entered three lecture halls via the bush and started shooting into the air to frighten the students.
“They 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 students.
“But the efforts minimized the damage as the attackers didn’t go beyond the first three halls,” the source said.
The source claims that when the bandits attacked, the students were getting ready for their first-semester exam, which was scheduled to start on Monday, May 13.
A student who was desperate to remain anonymous claimed that he went to the bush with a few others and hid there for “more than an hour.”
“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.
When contacted by Punch, Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, Vice Chancellor of CUSTEC, acknowledged the occurrence but would not provide the precise number of students taken hostage.
“I don’t talk to journalists on incidents like this, but I want you to know that we are on top of the situation,” he said.
It was unsuccessful to get in touch with Mr. Bethrand Onuoha, the Kogi Commissioner of Police, the Punch stated.
Former Cdre State Security Advisor Jerry Omodara was also unable for comment, as calls to his number went unanswered when reached out to by Punch.
Kidnapping for ransom has become the new normal, just as in various other parts of the nation. Nine travelers were allegedly abducted by gunmen in February in Oshokoshoko, Kogi State, along the Kabba/Obajana/Lokoja Road.
