Emmanuel OchayiBandits launched a brazen attack on Thursday night at Confluence University of Science and Technology in Kogi State, whisking away students who were preparing for their upcoming exams.
The ambush, shrouded in darkness, unfolded around 9 pm, catching students off guard as they were engrossed in their studies.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of terror as the bandits, emerging from the cover of the bush, stormed into three lecture halls. With gunfire punctuating the night, panic rippled through the university grounds, driving students to flee in every direction to seek refuge.
“They cornered the students inside the halls and began seizing them,” one witness recounted, the fear still palpable in their voice. “The chaos was unimaginable.”
Quick response from local security personnel and the university gatekeepers prevented further bloodshed, but not before the bandits had already abducted a number of students. Among the terrified survivors, tales of hiding in the bush for hours emerged, a testament to the sheer terror that gripped the campus that night.
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When reached for comment, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, confirmed the incident but remained tight-lipped on the exact number of students taken. “I don’t engage with the media on such matters,” he stated firmly, adding, “Rest assured, we are addressing the situation.”
Efforts to glean insights from law enforcement officials proved fruitless, with both the Commissioner of Police and the State Security Adviser unreachable for comment. Their silence underscored the challenges faced by authorities in combating the surge of abductions that have become increasingly prevalent, not just in Kogi State but across the nation.
This latest attack adds to a growing list of incidents, painting a grim picture of insecurity that looms over educational institutions and highways alike. Just months ago, similar gunmen seized nine travelers along the Kabba/Obajana/Lokoja Road, highlighting the pervasive threat of abduction for ransom that casts a shadow over communities nationwide.
As the nation grapples with this alarming trend, the fate of the abducted students remains uncertain, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard the lives and futures of the next generation.
