Kidnappers abduct lecturer, three students while returning from vigil in Kogi

By YEKINI JIMOH, Lokoja

A lecturer and three students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State have been kidnapped on Monday while returning from a night vigil in the state.

According to an eyewitness, the students including a female student identified as Jumai and the lecturer were returning from a church service at the Living Faith Church, Osara when they were accosted at the Abuja-Lokoja–Okene highway.

The kidnappers who were said to be carrying dangerous weapons including AK-47 riffles forcefully dragged them into the forest.

A community leader in Osara who does not want his name in print confirmed the incident and described the highway as “very dangerous to ply for motorists” especially those on night journeys.

He said: “In this year alone, not less than 12 cases of robbery and kidnapping have been recorded in the area,” adding that those living in the communities around the highway are living in fear.

He also called on the state government, the police and other security agencies in the state to do more to arrest the security situation in the state.

One of the principal staff of the institution who does not want to be mentioned also confirmed the incident and said the university community has been thrown into panic as a result of the incident.

When contacted, the police public relations officer, Willy Aya, said he was yet to be briefed about the incident and promised to contact our correspondent later.

The Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara was established in 2020 and the kidnapped students are one of the pioneer students of the institution. (Nigerian Tribune)