The Kogi Government has deployed security operatives and hundreds of local hunters into the bush on the trail of bandits that invaded and abducted university students on Thursday night.
The gunmen had abducted an unspecified number of students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Okene after storming the institution and trapping the students in their classes.
In total nine students were abducted in the invasion.
Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information, told newsmen in Lokoja that the combined effort is to rescue the abducted students.
He said: “Hundreds of local hunters, who understand the terrain, as well as the conventional security agents, are currently combing the area to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped from their classrooms.
“So far, nine students have been reported missing and we hope to rescue them as soon as possible.
“We wish to assure students, parents and the entire people of Kogi that the government is on top of the situation and all the abducted students will be rescued alive.
“Gov Usman Ododo has also directed that security agents be positioned around all tertiary institutions in the State,” he said.
The commissioner commended the local hunters and other security agents who rose stoutly to engage the kidnappers on the night of the invasion.
According to him, their gallantry and dedication ensured that the kidnappers did not have a field day.
Fanwo said that the state government would spare nothing toward ensuring that all the students abducted were safely rescued and reunited with their families.
“We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail by God’s grace,” he said.
