The Kogi State Government has vowed to bring the killers of two Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) students to justice.
The students, who were among those kidnapped, were tragically killed by their captors while negotiations for their release were ongoing with the parents of the students.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Bethrand Onuoha, confirmed that the two students died at the hands of the kidnappers.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, has expressed “deep shock and sorrow” over what he described as the “callous killing” of the two of the yet-to-be-released students, adding that the state government is “heartbroken.”
“The state government was all out to rescue all the students and spared nothing in doing so. Unfortunately, we were able to rescue 21 of them alive,” Femi Fanwo said.
“The State Government also mobilized secure operatives, including local hunters and conventional security forces, to rescue the remaining students. The kidnappers contacted the families, and while the dialogue for their release was ongoing, the students were killed.”
Femi Fanwo has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, stating, “This is an attack on us as a state and the killers of our student will not go unpunished. They killed the students at their hideout in Kwara State. ”
The commissioner also noted that the state government is currently working with security agencies to see how their remaining captives will be released.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has also opened dialogue with Governors of the neighbouring States on how to make the hideouts of the criminals uncomfortable for them, Femi Fanwo disclosed.
“We thank the Governors of Kwara and Ekiti States for their cooperation and readiness to rid the evil forest of criminals,” he added.
The government, however, extended its condolences to the families of the victims, the CUSTECH community, and the affected communities, stating “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims” and noted that “the state government will support them in every way possible in this dark hour of grief.”
Femi Fanwo also added that the government will do everything possible to avert any possible future occurrence and strengthen strategies to ward off evil from the state.
“We mourn our departed champions. Terror is cowardice for only a coward will attack those seeking knowledge in schools.”
