Bandits Storm Kogi Varsity, Abducts Students

Bandits raided Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene in Kogi State on Thursday night and kidnapped several students.

According to a witness, the bandits arrived at the university at approximately 9pm, catching the students off guard as they were studying for their upcoming exams.

The witness mentioned to journalists that the bandits entered the university premises through the bush, entered three lecture halls, and started firing shots into the air to create panic among the students.

“They trapped the students inside the halls and started taking them; the school was thrown into total confusion as fear-stricken students in other halls scurried to safety, scampering in various directions.

“By the time local security guards and the conventional security men at the gate engaged the bandits, they had already succeeded in abducting some students.

“But the efforts minimised the damage as the attackers didn’t go beyond the first three halls,” The source told The PUNCH.

As per the source, the students were getting ready for their inaugural semester examination scheduled to begin on Monday, May 13, when the bandits launched their attack.

One of the students, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that he and a few of his peers sought refuge in the nearby bushes and concealed themselves for a duration exceeding an hour.

“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.

Contacted, CUSTEC Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, confirmed the incident but refused to give details of the number of students abducted.

“I don’t talk to journalists on incidents like this, but I want you to know that we are on top of the situation,” he said.

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