Suspected bandits reportedly stormed the campus of the Kogi state confluence university of science and technology, Osara and abducted an unspecified number of students.
The report from the area said that the incident happened around 9pm on Thursday as students were in their class rooms, preparing for their semester examination.
The state Security Adviser, Jerry Omadara, confirmed the incident and said officials are still assessing the situation and will make more announcements soon. “We are on top of the situation, we are still assessing the situation, we will speak about it shortly,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said nine students of the school are missing.
In a statement, the commissioner wrote; “Immediately the report was received, the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.”
“We wish to assure students, parents, and the entire people of Kogi State that the Government is on top of the situation and all the abducted students will be rescued alive. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has also directed that security agents be positioned around all tertiary institutions in the state.”
“Hundreds of local hunters who understand the terrain, as well as the conventional security agents, are currently combing the area to ensure safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped in the classrooms. So far, nine students have been reported missing.”
This incident adds to a long list of academic institutions targeted by bandits.
