JUST IN : Tears As Bandits Kill Kidnapped Kogi University’s Students
Tragedy struck Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, as the Kogi State police confirmed the killing of two students abducted by suspected bandits.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the academic community and sparked outrage over the rising insecurity in educational institutions.
The Kogi State Police Commissioner, Bethrand Onuoha, announced the deaths on Sunday, describing the act as “very unfortunate.”
While the police are withholding specific details, Commissioner Onuoha assured that security operatives are actively pursuing the culprits to ensure they face justice.
The abduction occurred on the night of May 9, when gunmen stormed the university around 9 p.m., shooting sporadically as students prepared for exams scheduled for May 13.
The attackers kidnapped several students during the chaos. Although 21 students were later rescued with the assistance of local hunters, some remained in captivity.
In a related development, the NGO Education For All (E4A) condemned the killings, emphasizing the brutality of the act amidst ongoing ransom negotiations.
Nasir Ibrahim, the organization’s Publicity Secretary, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a “height of callousness” and a deliberate attempt to intimidate young people from pursuing education.
“The criminals killed two students who were not among the 21 rescued in an operation coordinated by the Kogi government. This act is sad, callous, and calls for collective action against attacks on educational institutions,” Ibrahim stated.
The slain students were identified as James Michael Anajuwe, a 100-level Information Technology student, and Musa Hussein, a 100-level Software Engineering student.
They were reportedly killed at the kidnappers’ hideout in Kwara State.
Ibrahim highlighted that negotiations between the students’ parents and the kidnappers had delayed a more aggressive response from security agencies, as efforts were made to avoid endangering the captives’ lives.
“We were hopeful that the negotiations would lead to their safe release. The deaths of these promising students are a devastating blow,” Ibrahim lamented.
He urged the Kogi government to collaborate with Kwara authorities to take decisive action against the perpetrators, believed to be hiding in a forest near the borders of Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti States. Additionally, Ibrahim called on the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Education to strengthen the Safe School Initiative to protect students nationwide.
“The loss of these students should galvanize a concerted effort to ensure the safety of our schools. It is unacceptable to lose children whose only crime was seeking an education. Our nation must address the rising insecurity to prevent further tragedies,” he concluded.
