Unknown gunmen have abducted an unspecified number of students of Abia State University Uturu, near Okigwe.
The incident happened late Wednesday night as the students were returning from Okigwe to Uturu in a commercial bus, according to sources.
Reacting to the incident, Abia State Government has said it has intensified efforts to secure the safe return of the students.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the Commissioner for Information said in a statement that the state government was collaborating with the neighboring Imo State to rescue and students.
“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 a 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,” the government said.
“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 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,” the statement added.
