Kogi ggovernment rescues remaining kidnapped CUSTECH students

The Kogi Government has announced the successful rescue of the remaining eight kidnapped students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

This declaration was made by the Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja.

Fanwo revealed that Governor Ahmed Ododo has directed full support towards the recovery of the students and their parents, while initiatives are being implemented to enhance safety across Kogi State.

The government thanked President Bola Tinubu for his directive to mobilize resources towards the students’ rescue. It commended the National Security Adviser for his commitment to their release and the state’s security.

“The government expresses profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for directing the mobilisation of resources to ensure the rescue of the kidnapped students.

Furthermore, Fanwo appreciated all security chiefs, including the Director-General of DSS, the Inspector-General of Police, and the armed forces for their unwavering support.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the Kogi State Command of security agencies, local hunters, and Governor AbdulRahmam AbdulRazak of Kwara State for their collaboration, which led to the successful operation and rescue of the kidnapped CUSTECH students.

“We also thank the National Security Adviser for his immense commitment to the release of the students and the general security of the State.

“The governor thanked all the Security Chiefs, the Director General of DSS, the Inspector General of Police, all officers and men of the Armed Forces including the Pilots, who put in their best to support us in reuniting the kidnapped students with their families.

“The Kogi State Command of all the security agencies, Police, DSS, NSCDC and our local hunters are also highly appreciated for their efforts towards this feat,” Fanwo said.

Fanwo reiterated the Ododo administration’s dedication to revamping the security framework and emphasized the importance of the Safe School Initiative.

He underscored Kogi’s commitment to providing quality education, highlighting the state’s policies of free education up to the secondary school level and support for exam registration fees.

The commissioner urged citizens to provide intelligence to security agencies, emphasizing collective efforts in combating crime.

“The governor also expressed immense gratitude to his Kwara State counterpart, Gov. AbdulRahmam AbdulRazak, for his personal commitment, cooperation and support towards the success of the operation that led to the rescue of the remaining kidnapped students.

“The Kwara governor showed the reason he is effectively leading the Nigerian Governors Forum. His actions have also reinforced the Kogi/Kwara cooperation and unity of purpose,” Fanwo said.

He stressed the necessity for unity in defeating banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in society.

“All of us must come together to defeat banditry, kidnapping and any form of criminality in our society,” Fanwo said.