Former Governor Orji Kalu says all hands must be on deck if the unspecified number of students of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu are to come out unscathed.
The Herald can report that the affected students were abducted on Wednesday night while aboard a bus on the Okigwe-Uturu Road.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu said, “Abia State Government is currently monitoring an incident that happened in Okigwe, Imo State, yesterday which led to the suspected abduction of yet to be determined number of students of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), who apparently ran into a yet to be identified gang of hoodlums operating along the Okigwe-Uturu Road.
“Preliminary information available to us indicates that the students were moving in a mini van from Okigwe to Uturu between 7pm – 8pm when they ran into the armed gang who marched them into the nearby forest along with other yet to be identified travelers. Two of the students managed to escape from the hoodlums while others are still being held at a yet to be identified location.
“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.”
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In his reaction, Orji Kalu, described the incident as “totally condemnable” and “evil”.
“The students are the future leaders and as such, they don’t deserve to go through this pain.
“I am touched and unhappy. All hands must be on deck to secure the release of the abducted students.
“We must join hands with security agencies in exposing the perpetrators of evil acts in society,” he said.
Orji Kalu also commended the governors of Abia and Imo for their efforts geared towards rescuing the abducted students.