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Tag: Kogi varsity students

  • Army hands over 8 rescued Kogi varsity students to Ododo

    Army hands over 8 rescued Kogi varsity students to Ododo

    The Nigerian Army yesterday handed over the remaining eight students of Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi State, who were rescued on Sunday, to Governor Ahmed Ododo, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

    Read Also: Remaining eight kidnapped Kogi varsity students rescued – Govt

    The handing over was conducted by the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Emekah said the troops of the Nigerian Army, in synergy with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, rescued the abducted students from the terrorists.He said the rescue took place in a dense forest near Oro Ago Village in Kwara State, following an intense clearance.He added that the operation was still ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.Ododo thanked God Almighty for making the rescue possible, adding that it was a mixed feeling for him as two of the 31 abducted students were murdered.Ododo, who said 29 of the students were rescued, appreciated the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the military in the fight against insecurity.

  • Six more kidnapped Kogi varsity students rescued

    Six more kidnapped Kogi varsity students rescued

    Additional six kidnapped students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Osara, Kogi State, have been rescued unhurt.

    This increased to 20, the number of students already rescued by a  combined team of security operatives and local hunters.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, made this known yesterday in a statement in Lokoja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that suspected bandits had invaded the institution on Thursday and abducted 24 students.

    The students were abducted while  reading for their first semester examination slated to begin on  May 13.

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    “Government’s data shows that only four students are still missing from Thursday’s abduction of CUSTECH students.

    “Meanwhile, frantic efforts are being made to locate and rescue the four.

    “Fierce gun battle between security agents and the kidnappers forced the kidnappers to abandon the six rescued students, with some escaping with severe injuries.

    “The families of the six recently-rescued students have confirmed their safe return home as the first 14,” he said.

    The commissioner said the state Governor  Usman Ododo had expressed deep appreciation to the joint forces that carried out the rescue operations.

    He quoted the governor as urging the forces to continue the search until the remaining students were  found.

    “This government wishes to assure the public that the security architecture around schools has been recalibrated for efficiency and early warning systems to prevent future occurrences, ” Fanwo said.

  • 14 abducted Kogi varsity students rescued

    14 abducted Kogi varsity students rescued

    Fourteen students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara in Kogi State, abducted by bandits on Thursday night, have been rescued

    Commissioner of Police in the Northcentral State, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lokoja.

    The CUSTECH students had been abducted by the bandits that invaded the institution while they were reading for their first semester examination slated for today.

    “A combined team of security operatives, including local hunters, who ran after the bandits, rescued 14 of the kidnapped students.

    “One of the rescued students told us that  24 students were captured.

    “The security operatives will not relent. We are determined to get the remaining students back alive and unhurt,” Onuoha said.

    Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, who also confirmed the rescue, said the students were getting the required attention.

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     He expressed joy that the rescue came hours after Governor Usman Ododo visited the institution and assured parents of his readiness to rescue everyone taken.

     “Our local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers fled. Some escaped with gun wounds.

    “They fled and left 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.

    “Some were rescued in the early hours of today.

    “The security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure that all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely.

    “It is unfortunate, however, that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue the students, a local hunter and a security operative sustained injuries. They are receiving medical attention,” he said.

    The commissioner commended the local hunters and the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry.

    According to him, the success recorded so far was made possible by the support of Ododo who is bent on securing every Kogi resident.

    He urged residents to report anyone with gun wounds to law enforcement agents.