In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the Kogi community, armed bandits strucked the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Okene late Thursday night. Reports indicate that the intruders abducted a number of students from the institution.
According to reports, the students found themselves plunged into chaos around 9:00 p.m, as a group of armed bandits, suspected to be part of a larger organized crime ring, infiltrated the campus grounds by navigating through the dense bushland. Bursting into three separate lecture halls, the intruders initiated a reign of terror, firing shots into the air to strike fear into the hearts of the hapless 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.
One witness, who chose to remain anonymous, described the harrowing ordeal as he and a group of classmates fled into the surrounding bushland, seeking refuge from the armed assailants. For over an hour, they huddled in silence, hearts racing, as they listened intently for any sign that the danger had passed. Amidst the swirling chaos of the situation, they could only wait and hope for their safety and freedom to be restored.
“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Abdulraman Asipita, has confirmed that the attack did occur. In the aftermath of the violent raid on the campus grounds, students and staff alike were left shaken, with many seeking answers and reassurance from university officials. Asipita, however, was reluctant to release specific details regarding 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.