***Police Confirms Rescue of 14 Students
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
KOGI State Government has announced that some students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara abducted by gunmen have been rescued safely by combined force of local hunters and conventional security agents.
A statement released by Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications on Sunday in Lokoja said the breakthrough came few hours after Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo visited the institution to assure parents of his commitment to rescuing the students.
According to the statement, the local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower.
It said that they escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.
The statement further revealed that many of the kidnapped students and other kidnap victims hitherto held in captivity were rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, adding that many others were also rescued in the early hours of Sunday.
“Security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely.
“In the sporadic gun battle to rescue our dear students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention”, the Commissioner explained.
Fanwo also commended the local hunters and all the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry saying that of special commendation was 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”, he said.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Ovye Aya however confirmed that a total number of 14 students were rescued as at Sunday morning.(Ends)
