Terrorists raided Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), located in Osara, Okene, Kogi State, on Thursday night, abducting several students.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, an eyewitness reported that the bandits struck the university at approximately 9:00 pm, catching students studying for their imminent exams off guard.
The witness described how the bandits entered the premises through the surrounding bush, infiltrating three lecture halls and firing gunshots into the air to intimidate the students.
“They trapped the students inside the halls and started taking them; the school was thrown into total confusion as fear-stricken students in other halls scurried to safety, scampering in various directions.
“By the time local security guards and the conventional security men at the gate engaged the bandits, they had already succeeded in abducting some students.
“But the efforts minimised the damage as the attackers didn’t go beyond the first three halls,” the source said.
As per the report, students were gearing up for their inaugural semester exams set to begin on Monday, May 13, when the bandits launched their attack.
One student, opting for anonymity, disclosed that he and several peers sought refuge in the nearby bushes, where they concealed themselves for over an hour.
“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.
Upon reaching out, Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, the Vice Chancellor of CUSTEC, verified the incident but declined to disclose the exact count of abducted students.
“I don’t talk to journalists about incidents like this, but I want you to know that we are on top of the situation,” he said.
Attempts to contact Mr. Bethrand Onuoha, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi, proved futile.
Similarly, calls made to the State Security Adviser, retired Cdre Jerry Omodara, went unanswered and were not returned for comments.
