The Kogi government on Friday deployed security operatives and hundreds of local hunters into the bush on the trail of bandits that invaded and abducted university students Thursday night.

The bandits had abducted an unspecified number of students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene, after storming the institution and trapping the students in their classes.

The Kogi government said nine students were abducted.

Information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo told journalists in Lokoja that efforts were on to rescue the abducted students.

He said, “Hundreds of local hunters, who understand the terrain, as well as the conventional security agents, are currently combing the area to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped from their classrooms.

“So far, nine students have been reported missing and we hope to rescue them as soon as possible. We wish to assure students, parents and the entire people of Kogi that the government is on top of the situation and all the abducted students will be rescued alive.

“Governor Usman Ododo has also directed that security agents be positioned around all tertiary institutions in the state.”

The commissioner commended the local hunters and other security agents who rose stoutly to engage the kidnappers on the night of the invasion.

He said their gallantry and dedication ensured the kidnappers had no field day.

Mr Fanwo said that the state government would spare nothing toward ensuring that all the students abducted were safely rescued and reunited with their families.

“We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail by God’s grace,” he said.

Bandits on Thursday night invaded CUSTEC and abducted the students.

(NAN)