The Kogi State government has expressed gratitude to security agencies for their swift action in rescuing 14 students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology who were kidnapped by gunmen.
Last Thursday night, armed assailants stormed the Osara campus of the institution and abducted several students who were attending a tutorial class in preparation for their first semester examination.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Kogi State Police Command’s spokesman, William Aya, confirmed that 14 students had been rescued following a gun battle with the kidnappers.
Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, also applauded the rescue efforts, stating that the students were safely rescued by local hunters and security agents. He mentioned that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had visited the institution to assure parents of his commitment to rescuing the students.
According to Fanwo, a fierce shootout ensued between local vigilantes, security agents, and the kidnappers, resulting in the kidnappers fleeing with gunshot wounds. He noted that many kidnapped students, as well as other individuals abducted by the gunmen, were rescued and taken to medical facilities for treatment.
Efforts are underway to locate and safely bring home all the kidnapped students, with security personnel conducting thorough searches in the forests. However, Fanwo revealed that during the rescue operation, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention.
The commissioner commended the bravery and gallantry of the local hunters and security agents, particularly highlighting the role of the DSS in coordinating the operation based on credible intelligence. He emphasized Governor Ododo’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Kogi State residents.
Fanwo urged residents to report individuals with gunshot wounds in their communities to law enforcement agencies, underscoring the state government’s determination to maintain a hostile environment for criminals, including bandits and kidnappers.
