Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has assured the parents and the entire residents of Kogi State that the kidnapped students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene will be rescued unhurt.
The Governor revealed that the government has deployed hundreds of security agents and hunters who are familiar with the terrain and the area’s landscape to go after the suspected bandits and ensure the victims regain freedom and are brought back safely.
The assurance was conveyed in a statement released on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, noting that the governor said the report was “received as a very disturbing news”.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the statement said; “Immediately the report was received, the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.
“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.
“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
“We wish to commend the local hunters and other security agents who rose stoutly to engage the kidnappers. Their gallantry and dedication ensured that the kidnappers did not have a field day which would have been more calamitous.”
“The State Government will spare nothing in ensuring that all the students abducted are safely rescued and reunited with their families. We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail.”
Forefront News had reported that gunmen suspected to be bandits on Thursday night stormed the CUSTEC premises and took some students captive during the attack.
Inside sources hinted that the unknown gunmen invaded the university at about 9.00 pm while most of the students were reading for their upcoming exams
