Reports which emerged from the Abia State Government on Thursday revealed that a yet to be ascertained number of students were abducted from the Abia State University, Uturu by unknown gunmen on Wednesday.
This was revealed in a press release issued by Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the state’s Commissioner for Information, stating that the government is monitoring the situation.
The statement added that preliminary information indicated that the students were moving in a minivan from Okigwe to Uturu between 7pm – 8pm when they ran into an armed gang who marched them into the nearby forest along with other yet to be identified travellers.
“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.
“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.