In a harrowing incident on Thursday night, bandits launched a brazen attack on Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), situated in Osara, Okene within Kogi State, resulting in the abduction of several students.
Witnesses reported that the assailants descended upon the university premises at approximately 9:00 pm, catching students off guard as they diligently prepared for impending examinations.
According to eyewitnesses, the bandits infiltrated the campus through the surrounding foliage, infiltrating three lecture halls where they indiscriminately discharged firearms into the air, instilling terror among the student populace.
The invaders swiftly trapped students within the lecture halls, initiating a state of pandemonium as panic-stricken individuals sought refuge, dispersing in all directions to evade the marauding criminals.
A student, who opted to remain anonymous, recounted a harrowing tale of seeking sanctuary in the wilderness, concealed amidst the dense undergrowth for over an hour until tranquility graced the surroundings, allowing for cautious emergence from their hiding place.
In response to queries regarding the distressing ordeal, Vice Chancellor Prof. Abdulraman Asipita confirmed the incident, although declined to disclose specifics regarding the number of students ensnared by the abductors.
Assuring stakeholders of proactive measures, Prof. Asipita affirmed the university’s commitment to swiftly address the situation and ensure the safety of its students and staff.
Despite concerted efforts to obtain information from law enforcement authorities, including the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, and State Security Adviser, Retired Cdre Jerry Omodara, inquiries remained unanswered, leaving a shroud of uncertainty lingering over the fate of the abducted students and the broader security landscape within the region.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this brazen incursion, there exists an imperative to remain vigilant and resilient in the face of adversity, prioritising the safety and well-being of all individuals within the academic community while advocating for sustained efforts to curb the menace of insecurity plaguing the region.
