•Collaboration to arrest abductors

Vice Chancellor,Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), Prof Maxwell Ogbulu, yesterday said no student of the institution was abducted when bandits struck along Ihube-ABSU on Saturday evening.

The clarification followed a report that 10 students of ABSU were abducted in the attack.Commissioner of Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who gave the update, stated that “the management of Abia State University, including the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maxwell Ogbulu, has confirmed that no student of the institution was abducted.

He said: “ The state government with sadness, received news of an attack on commuters by hoodlums operating along Ihube, Okigwe LGA of Imo State, which affected some students of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, who ran into them, while returning from a religious programme in Imo State with the unfortunate loss of Master Ede Donald and injury to three other students of the school.”

According to him, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Janet Agbede, to, as a matter of urgency, liaise with her counterpart in Imo State for swift arrest of the hoodlums and bring them to justice.

“The Abia State Government has also confirmed from the management of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, that the three students who sustained injuries from the attack have been treated and discharged while the parents of Master Ede Donald ( the dead victim) have been contacted.

“While we commiserate with parents of the deceased, students, staff and management of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, over this unfortunate incident in our neighboring state, we condemn in totality the attempt by agents of opposition political actors in our state to spread fake news to diminish the state,” he added.

When contacted , Abia State Police Spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna said the police were still ascertaining the report.

(The Guardian)