Latest reports on the abducted students of the Abia State University (ABSU) say the abducted took the kidnapped students through the forests and throughout the night, walking them on, until they got to boundary of Enugu State.
It was disclosed that kidnappers abducted the students, both male and female, at the snaky axis of Okigwe-Uturu highway after Okigwe town, and forced them down the dungeon of that axis, full of dangerous animals.
No one is sure whether they have crossed Enugu State to Benue or Kogi States, but it was gathered that they are on the move meandering their way.
Meanwhile, it was a situation of shock and disbelief as the unknown gunmen on Wednesday night kidnapped an unspecified number of Students of Abia State University (ABSU) and took them to unknown destination.
Two of the students however escaped unhurt and returned to safety.
Various news reports emanating from the school did not say the number of students abducted or the group that took them. But it was suspected that the heinous act may have been carried out by Fulanis herdsmen.
In its reaction through its Registrar, Mr Acho Elendu, the university authorities said following the development, hours of lectures have been adjusted.
A statement from Mr Elendu, with reference number REG/40/1V and dated May 6, 2021 warned that “In view of the current security situation in the country, the Vice chancellor , Distinguished Professor O M Ogbulu on behalf of management, has directed that henceforth lecture hours and all forms of interactions with students in the university should be from 9 am to 4 pm.
“On no account should any lecturer go contrary to this directive as unpleasant consequences await defaulters.
“The Vice Chancellor also assures staff and students that the management is on top of the security situation in the university as no stone will be left unturned to ensure protection of lives and property”.
However, in a quick reaction, the Abia State government assured that it is monitoring the situation with the view to rescuing the victims.A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onyebuchi Omemanka, declared “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 number of students of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), who apparently 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 7pm – 8pm 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 resource 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”.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
