Abia state government says only one student of Abia State University (ABSU) is currently in the captivity of abductors that attacked a group of students in Okigwe, Imo state on Wednesday, May 5.
The students were said to be in a commercial bus en route Uturu from Imo state when they were ambushed and abducted.
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Following the incident, the state Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, said security agents on Thursday revealed that two of the abducted students escaped on Wednesday evening.
Kalu, according to PremiumTimes, said only one student was being held captive by the abductors, from the information available to Abia State Government.
He stated;
What I can tell you is that two of the students escaped. At this time, we only have confirmation of one student in custody of the hoodlums.
Two of the students – two girls – escaped. One escaped from inside the jungle where they took them to, while the other escaped at the point of interception, where they were taken. We have heard from the girl that escaped at the point of interception.
The commissioner said the abductors have made contact with the parent of the female student who is in their custody.
He noted;
I have spoken to the parents of the girl, I have spoken to the fiancée of the girl, we are doing everything to ensure her release.
Kalu then later released a statement to that effect which reads;
Update on Abduction of ABSU students
On Wednesday, 5th May, 2021, a Sienna vehicle conveying passengers, including students of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), was waylaid around Okigwe in Imo State along with two other private vehicles by yet to be identified hoodlums. The incident occurred between 7pm and 8pm on that day.
Information gathered from the institution and one of the students who escaped from the abductors, indicate that only one student is still being held by the hoodlums.
Law enforcement agencies of both Abia and Imo States have been mobilized to rescue the student and all those still in custody of the kidnappers.
He added;
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is directly coordinating efforts to ensure safe return of the student and the others as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has given directive for security reinforcement along the affected route to prevent future occurrence.
Abduction for ransom has been on the increase in Nigeria lately, with some top government officials sanctioning the payment of ransom to criminal gangs.
A handful of abducted college students in Kaduna state, were freed just last Wednesday after spending 55 days in captivity.
Several states, including Abia, in the South-east region, as well as the South-south, are grappling with severe security challenges, including deadly attacks on security agencies.
With Boko Haram insurgency raging in the North-east, and banditry, kidnapping, and the ongoing bloody conflict between herders and farmers in different parts of the country,
