Kogi govt, however, said a local hunter and a DSS operative who sustained injuries during shootout are currently receiving medical attention
By Kehinde Okeowo
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kingsley Fanwo, has disclosed that students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, who were abducted by unknown gunmen on Thursday, have been rescued by the security agents and some gallant local hunters.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the students were abducted while in the class preparing for their first-semester examination scheduled to start on Monday, May 13.
However, Fanwo in a statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja, on Sunday, confirmed that some of the abducted students have now been rescued.
According to the commissioner, the students were rescued safely by local hunters and other security agents, who engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout.
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He added that the kidnappers, who eventually succumbed to superior firepower of the security agencies abandoned the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught in the fire exchange.
He further revealed that the rescued students and many other kidnapped victims have been taken to a medical facility for proper attention.
Kogi govt, however, said that security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure all the students still in captivity are found and brought home safely.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner stated that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue the students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries but they are currently receiving medical attention.
The statement read in part: “We commend our local hunters and all the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry. Of special commendation is the DSS for acting on credible intelligence to coordinate a fearless confrontation on the outlaws.
“The security agencies have once again demonstrated why Kogi State will remain an uncomfortable place for bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
“The success recorded so far is a clear testament of the readiness of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi State.
“We urge residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents.”