Yet-to-be identified gunmen have abducted nine university students in Kogi State, central Nigeria.
According to local reports, the gunmen stormed the Confluence University of Science and Technology on Thursday night, disrupting the activities of the students who were preparing for their upcoming exams and shooting randomly into the air.
After the sporadic gunshots were fired, the gunmen gathered a group of students and bundled them away.
Meanwhile, the Kogi state government has confirmed that there were nine kidnapped students but there are fears that this number could be higher that claimed.
The state government has assured residents that it has already mobilised security forces in a search and rescue operation.
What They’re Saying
“Hundreds of local hunters who understand the terrain as well as the conventional security agents are currently combing the area to ensure safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped in the classrooms,” a statement revealed.
Why This Matters
Kidnapping incidents, unfortunately, are still prevalent in Nigeria due to several factors. One significant reason could be due to the socio-economic conditions in the country, including widespread poverty and unemployment.
These conditions often times, push individuals towards criminal activities like kidnapping as a means of survival.
In addition, Nigeria’s porous borders and inadequate security infrastructure make it so easy for criminal elements to operate with impunity, including conducting cross-border kidnappings and evading capture.
To stem this alarming trend, a determined and strong approach is needed.
Better training, equipping, and increased manpower, is vital. Also, improving intelligence gathering and sharing mechanisms to proactively identify and disorganise kidnapping networks is of the essence.
Finally, addressing the root causes of kidnapping by implementing social and economic reforms to alleviate poverty, create job opportunities, and empower communities can help reduce the desperation that pushes individuals towards criminal activities.
Bottom Line
By implementing these measures comprehensively and consistently, Nigeria can stem the now “constant-wave” of kidnapping and create a safer environment for its people to thrive.
