The Nigerian Army has formally handed over eight recently rescued students abducted from the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, to the Kogi State Government.
A statement by the spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said the handover ceremony took place at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Abuja, with the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, receiving the students.
The students, who were taken hostage by kidnappers on 9th May, 2024 were extricated from their abductors following coordinated search and rescue operations by the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
The rescue mission took place in the dense forest near Oro Ago village in Kwara State, where the students had been held captive by the terrorists.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalam Ibrahim, assured Governor Ododo that the Nigerian Army and other collaborating security agencies remain committed to securing lives and property of law abiding citizens.
He emphasized that the troops, in synergy with other security forces, have intensified their efforts to track down the kidnappers and bring them to justice.
Governor Ahmed Ododo expressed profound gratitude to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their dedication and sacrifice in rescuing the students.
He affirmed his confidence in the capability of the security forces to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The Governor also reiterated the Kogi State Government’s unwavering support for the security forces in the ongoing operations against terrorism and other criminalities in the State.
The Nigerian Army has equally called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency, as collective efforts are crucial in the fight against terrorism and criminality in the country.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
