Insecurity: Kogi CP Seeks Residents’ Cooperation with Security Agencies

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police , CP Bethrand Onuhua,  has  appealed to the residents of the state to continue to  collaborate and cooperate with the Police and other security agencies to ensure adequate security of life and property in the State.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Command’s Police Public Relation Officer PPRO, William Aya, copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja  yesterday.

The CP  also confirmed that a total of 14 students  of Confluence University of Science and Technology CUSTECH , Osara who were abducted have been rescued.

“It will be recalled that, on 9/5/2024, some armed hoodlums invaded the Kogi State University of Science and Technology, (CUSTECH) Osara and abducted some Students. The Divisional Police Officer of Osara Division received a distress call of sporadic gunshots at the University.

He immediately mobilised his men to the scene and discovered that, some Students who were holding Tutorials in a Class Room were said to have been kidnapped.

“Immediately, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, mobilised reinforcement of Tactical Teams from the Command comprising Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Quick Response Unit, Intelligence Unit, tracking hoodlums hideout along with men of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lokoja, DSS, Hunters and local Vigilantes aimed at rescuing the victims. The combined Team rescued the victims after a shootout with the abductors which prompted them to abandoned some of the victims and fled.

“The unwavering efforts of Security Team led to the rescued of the fourteen (14) victims in the bush near Obajana. It was further revealed by one of the rescued female victims that they were about Twenty-Four (24) Students kidnapped on that fateful day,  others were herded away during the exchange of gun-fire with the Security Team. Meanwhile, all the victims were taken to the Hospital for Medical check-up.”

The security operatives are currently combing the bushes to ensure rescue of the remaining victims, apprehend the culprits and bring them to deserved justice.

“The Kogi State Government as well as the University Community are happy with the rescue Operations and commended the joint Security Team for their unwavering efforts.

“The Commissioner of Police further assures that, the Police and sister Security Agencies are leaving no stone unturned as all hands are on deck to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining Students, while abductors are arrested and prosecuted,” statement said.