A total of 14 abducted students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara in Kogi have so far been rescued alive and unhurt by security operatives.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, disclosed this while speaking with Newsmen on Sunday in Lokoja.
The CUSTECH students were on Thursday night abducted by unknown bandits, who invaded the institution with dangerous weapons.
“But a combined team of security operatives including local hunters, who chased after the bandits successfully rescued 14 of the kidnapped students.
“One of the rescued students told us that they were 24 in number that were in the camp of the bandits,
“All the same, the security operatives have not relented as we are determined to get the remaining students back alive and unhurt, ” Onuoha assured.
Also speaking on the rescued students, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information, confirmed the figure to be 14 rescued so far
Fanwo, in a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday said that other kidnapped victims were rescued along with the students.
He expressed joy that the rescue came hours after the Executive Governor of the State, Alhaji Usman Ododo visited the institution and assured parents of his commitment to rescuing the abducted students.
“Our local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.
“Many of the students kidnapped and even other people in captivity have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, while many others were also rescued in the early hours of today.
“The security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely.
“It’s unfortunate that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue our dear students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention, ” he said.
The commissioner, however, commended the local hunters and all the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry.
According to him, the success recorded so far is a clear testament of the readiness of Gov Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi.
He then urged residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents.