Joint security forces, assisted by local hunters, have liberated 14 abducted students from the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Osara, Kogi State.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when bandits invaded the institution, targeting students who were preparing for their first semester examinations scheduled to commence on May 13.

Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Bethrand Onuoha, confirmed the rescue to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lokoja.

According to Onuoha, a combined team of security personnel pursued the bandits, resulting in the successful rescue of the students.

“A combined team of security operatives, including local hunters, who ran after the bandits, successfully rescued 14 of the kidnapped students.

“One of the rescued students told us that 24 students were captured.

“The security operatives will not relent. We are determined to get the remaining students back alive and unhurt,” Onuoha said.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, also affirmed the rescue and expressed gratitude for the swift response following Governor Usman Ododo’s visit to the institution.

Fanwo said: “Our local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers fled. Some escaped with gun wounds.

“They fled and left the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.

“Many of the students kidnapped, and even other people in captivity, have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention.

“Some were rescued in the early hours of today. The security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure that all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely.

“It is unfortunate, however, that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue the students, a local hunter and a security operative sustained injuries. They are currently receiving medical attention.”