The challenge of insecurity in the South-East, yesterday assumed another dimension, as an unspecified number of students of Abia State University, Uturu, ABSU, were reportedly abducted by unknown armed men.
This came as gunmen also killed two policemen and burnt down a police station in Anambra. They also killed another policeman in Ebonyi yesterday.
The abduction of the students, according to reports, occurred Wednesday night as the students were in a commercial bus returning from Okigwe to Uturu around 8:00pm.
Meanwhile, Abia State Government has assured that efforts were being intensified to ensure safe return of the abducted students.
Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who gave the assurance in a statement yesterday, said the state government was collaborating with neighbouring Imo State to rescue the students.
The statement read: “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 Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), who apparently ran into a yet to be identified gang of hoodlums operating along the Okigwe-Uturu Road.
“Preliminary information available to us indicates that the students were moving in a mini van from Okigwe to Uturu between 7pm-8pm 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.
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