The Kogi State Government has vowed to rescue students kidnapped by bandits on Thursday at its Confluence University of Science and Technology, CUSTECH.
Contrary to initial reports that over 30 undergraduates were taken by the gunmen, it said nine students had so far been reported missing.
Speaking on Friday in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government said local hunters and security agents had begun a manhunt for the kidnappers and the victims.
Praising the rescue team, it said: “Their gallantry and dedication ensured that the kidnappers did not have a field day which would have been more calamitous.”
The government vowed it would spare nothing in ensuring that all the students abducted were safely rescued and reunited with their families.
“We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail,” the government said. “Hundreds of local hunters who understand the terrain as well as the conventional security agents are currently combing the area to ensure safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped in the classrooms.”
Assuring students, parents and the entire people that it was on top of the situation, it said all the abducted would be rescued alive.
According to the statement, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had immediately directed that security agents be positioned to safeguard all tertiary institutions in the state.
