Bandits invade CUSTEC, abduct several students

On Thursday night, bandits broke into the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene in Kogi and kidnapped several students.

According to eyewitnesses, the bandits attacked the university around 9:00 p.m. when students were studying for their approaching examinations.

According to the source, the bandits entered through the bush, went into three lecture halls, and started shooting 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.

According to the source, the students were preparing for their first semester examination expected to commence on Monday, May 13, when the bandits struck.

A student who spoke under anonymity said he and some colleagues ran to the bush and hid there for “more than an hour.”

“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.

CUSTEC vice-chancellor Abdulraman Asipita confirmed the incident but refused to give details of the number of students abducted.

“I don’t talk to journalists on incidents like this, but I want you to know that we are on top of the situation,” he said.

The police commissioner in Kogi, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jerry Omodara, Kogi’s security adviser, could not be immediately reached for comment.