There is palpable fear at the Enugu State College of Health Technology, Oji River, Enugu State, following the abduction of three students of the College.

Criminal elements suspected to be killer herdsmen stormed the students’ halls of residence at about 7 pm last Wednesday and abducted the students’ unhindered.0

A student of the college who pleaded for anonymity confirmed the incident. He claimed that students of the college were vacating the halls of residence for fear of the unknown.

“We are looking for three of our fellow students. They are not taking their calls yet. The kidnappers shot sporadically into the air before gaining entrance into the hostels. There was pandemonium following the sporadic gunshots as everybody scampered for safety,” the source said.

As at press time, the suspected kidnappers have not contacted the relatives of the victims for ransom.

It was gathered that there have been unhindered movement of cattle by herders suspected to be Fulani bandits who masquerade as herdsmen around the porous school premises.

Reacting to the abduction, National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) urged the heads of security agencies in the state to intensify their efforts towards rescuing the kidnapped students.

A statement by Comrade Prisca Okeke, NANS’ JCC Chairman, Enugu State said: “Heads of security agencies should ensure maximum provision of security around all campuses, especially those in the rural areas.

“We call on the Executive Governor of Enugu State for urgent intervention in the affected school, ESCOHTECH, as we have severally made a case for improvement in the environmental condition of this institution, especially by providing a fence around the school compound to help properly manage entry and exit.

“NANS declares a state of emergency in ESCOHTECH and demands that the School should be shut down immediately till further notice to enable security investigations and assurance that the school environment is safe for both students and staff.

“In conclusion, NANS is using this opportunity to reach out to all the students in our various campuses to be self-security conscious by being observant of the activities going on in our environment and reporting any unusual or suspicious activity/movement around you.

“Education is a right, not a privilege. We remain resolute in our clamour for better education systems in Nigeria,” NANS stated.

Confirming the incident, Enugu State Police command through the spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the “command wishes to inform the public that the viral video alleging that a countless number of students were kidnapped at the Enugu State College of Health Technology Oji-River is false and an act of mischief and misinformation aimed at misleading and creating panic among unsuspecting citizens.

“Contrary to the spurious narrative in the viral video, in the evening hours of August 15, 2024, Police Operatives at the Oji-River Division of the Command received information alleging an act of abduction around the said college. They immediately hastened to the scene, rescuing two of the victims allegedly abducted, while three (3) others are yet-to-be found.

“However, vigorous operations are ongoing to locate and rescue them, as well as apprehend the abductors.

“A preliminary investigation proves that the victims were driving out of the college, when the seemingly targeted incident occurred,” the police said.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu has ordered the operatives to ensure that the missing victims are found and rescued, while also arresting the perpetrators.

“However, he cautions against such mischievous and malicious social media narratives, aimed at creating unwarranted panic and jeopardizing police operational and investigative actions over such incidents,” he added. (Vanguard)