The Kogi State Government in Nigeria has successfully rescued the last eight of the 32 students kidnapped from the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara. This brings the total number of rescued students to 30.
The students were abducted early last month while preparing for their exams. Initially, four students were rescued, followed by another 16, and two managed to escape on their own.
Tragically, two students were killed by their abductors last week following the state government’s refusal to pay a ransom, opting instead for a combined “kinetic and non-kinetic” approach against the kidnappers.
State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, revealed this development in a statement on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Governor Bala Mohammed expressed deep sadness over the incident and emphasized the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its residents.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and various security chiefs and agencies for their roles in the successful rescue operations.
The government also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance security, particularly around educational institutions, and reiterated its commitment to the Safe School Initiative.
Governor Mohammed commended the cooperation between Kogi and Kwara States, emphasizing the unity and joint efforts in addressing security challenges.
The state government urged citizens to provide intelligence to security agencies to help prevent crime and reaffirmed its dedication to defending children’s right to education, noting that education is free up to the secondary level in Kogi State.
