A yet-to-be-ascertain number of Abia State University, Uturu, students has reportedly been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, on Thursday.
According to the statement, it was gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 7 pm – 8 pm along the Okigwe-Uturu Road when the students who were moving in a minivan unluckily ran into the hoodlums who were operating at that time.
It was also gathered that some yet-to-be-identified travelers were kidnapped along with the students and were taken into the nearby forest.
Also, information revealed that two of the kidnapped students escaped while others were still held, hostage.
Meanwhile, the state government has revealed plans of working with the Imo State government and all relevant security agencies in both states to ensure the rescue of the abducted students and others.
The statement read, “Abia State Government is currently monitoring an incident that happened in Okigwe, Imo State, yesterday which led to the suspected abduction of yet to be determined the number of students of the Abia State University, Uturu, who ran into a yet to be identified gang of hoodlums operating along the Okigwe-Uturu Road.
“Preliminary information available to us indicates that the students were moving in a minivan from Okigwe to Uturu between 7 pm – 8 pm when they ran into the armed gang who marched them into the nearby forest along with other yet to be identified travelers. Two of the students managed to escape from the hoodlums while others are still being held at a yet to be identified location.
“We are working with the government of Imo State and relevant security agencies in both states to ensure the rescue of the abducted students and others.
“Members of the public and ABSU community are advised to remain calm as we will spare no resources in ensuring the safety of the victims.
“No criminal operating within our environment will be allowed to escape justice as we take the job of protecting lives and property of Abians and visitors to the State very seriously.”
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