Gunmen suspected to be hoodlums have kidnapped an unspecified number of students of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), and other travellers along Okigwe, Imo State.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday evening when the students ran into a yet-to-be-identified gang of hoodlums operating along the Okigwe-Uturu Road.
Abia State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu who confirmed the incident on Thursday, said the victims were inside a van when they ran into the gunmen who whisked them to a forest.
While urging the university community to remain calm, the Commissioner noted that the state government is working with its Imo counterpart and relevant security agencies to ensure their release.
He said two of the students were able to escape from their abductors while others are still in captivity.
“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 Commissioner added.
