Gunmen suspected to be bandits have thrown the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Osara, Kogi State, into a state of panic after abducting an unknown number of students on Thursday night, May 9th, 2024. The brazen attack, which targeted students diligently preparing for their upcoming semester examinations, has sparked outrage and a desperate search for the missing students.
Details remain sketchy as of Friday evening, but reports indicate the attackers stormed the university around 9:00 pm, taking advantage of the darkness and the students’ focused studying. Eyewitness accounts paint a chilling picture.
“They just came in through the bush behind the lecture halls,” recounted a visibly shaken Sarah Audu, a student at CUSTECH. “We heard gunshots, and everyone started screaming. They burst into our lecture hall and started grabbing people.”
According to Sarah, the attackers seemed ruthless and well-coordinated. “They didn’t waste time,” she continued. “They just grabbed whoever they could and ran back into the darkness. It was all so fast and terrifying.”
Unconfirmed Numbers Stoke Fear
The exact number of abducted students remains unconfirmed. Initial reports suggested a “handful,” while some sources put the figure as high as nine. The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, however, confirmed that at least nine students are unaccounted for.
“The Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, has activated the state’s security architecture to track down the kidnappers and ensure the safe return of the abducted students,” Fanwo stated in a press release. We want to assure the students, parents, and the entire Kogi State that the government is working tirelessly to resolve this situation.
University in Lockdown, Exams on Hold
The university authorities have responded swiftly by locking down the campus. All academic activities, including the upcoming semester examinations, have been indefinitely suspended. Security personnel have been deployed to the campus, and a search operation is currently underway in collaboration with the police and military.
Professor Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu, the Vice Chancellor of CUSTECH, expressed his deep concern for the safety of the abducted students. “This is a dark day for CUSTECH,” he said. “Our priority right now is the safe return of our students. We are working closely with the security agencies and will keep the university community informed of any developments.”
Parents in Agony, Community Outraged
The news of the abduction has sent shockwaves through the university community and beyond. Parents of the missing students are understandably distraught. Many gathered at the university gates, demanding answers and action from the authorities.
“This is unacceptable!” cried Mrs. Amina Mohammed, whose daughter is among the missing. “How can these criminals target innocent students just trying to get an education? The government must do everything in its power to bring our children back safely.
The abduction has also sparked outrage amongst the general public. Social media has been flooded with messages of condemnation, with many Nigerians questioning the security situation in the country.
“How safe are we anymore?” tweeted a user identified as @KoladeTruth. “These bandits are getting bolder by the day. The government needs to take a serious stand against this rising insecurity.
History of Violence Casts Long Shadow
This is not the first time Kogi State has been plagued by violence. The state has witnessed numerous incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes. This latest attack on a university campus has heightened fears and exposed the vulnerabilities of the state’s security apparatus.
This incident highlights the need for a comprehensive security strategy in Kogi State,” stated a security analyst, Mr. Dele Ojo, in a phone interview. The government needs to invest in intelligence gathering, strengthen law enforcement agencies, and address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and unemployment.
A Test for Nigerian Security
The abduction of the Kogi varsity students is a major test for Nigerian security forces. The authorities face immense pressure to locate the missing students and apprehend the perpetrators.
The success of this operation will not only determine the fate of the abducted students but also serve as a message to other criminal elements operating in the region. The coming days will be crucial, and the entire nation awaits a swift and successful resolution to this unsettling situation.
