Nigerians React To Abduction Of Abia Varsity Students

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Abia, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Thursday, May 6th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The news that gunmen had abducted an undisclosed number of students from Abia State University, Uturu has sparked social media reactions.

African Examiner reports that gunmen on Wednesday night had ambushed some of the students and abducted them.

The Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, saying that two of the students escaped from the clutches of the hoodlums and others were still being held hostage by the criminals.

The statement read, “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, 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 travellers. 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.”

This development has sparked reactions as some Nigerians took to the micro-blogging platform to express their views concerning the issue. African Examiner captures some of their thought below:

Mo!@mobiuwakwe writes: “Bro, it wasn’t all passengers that were kidnapped. Spoke to someone in Absu who said it was only a Lady who wasn’t fortunate to escape the scenario. At this point, information is very sketchy. Let’s not rush to create apprehension.”

Chukwumaobim@MOMPERE55 writes: “To even think there are numerous Checkpoints (both military and police) along the Okigwe-Umuahia road is baffling. How can we have such checkpoints, still Absu students got ambushed and kidnapped? Nigeria is dead.”

Br@Buwayn writes: “Some Students Of Abia State University were abducted yesterday evening by a yet to be identified gunmen!!”

Tunde Ednut@TundeEddnut writes: “Several students of Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), have been reportedly abducted by unknown armed men.”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu@OUKtweets writes: “The abduction of students of Abia State University (ABSU) by unidentified criminals along Okigwe-Uturu road is totally condemnable and unacceptable. The students are our children and future leaders of tomorrow and as such they don’t deserve to go through this emotional trauma.”

UNCLE DEJI@DejiAdesogan writes: “DISTURBING NEWS: Unknown gunmen Kidnapped unspecified number of Abia State University students. The incidence occurred on Wednesday night as the ABSU students were ambushed while returning from Okigwe to Uturu around 8pm in a commercial bus.”

IKECHUKWU@iykimo writes: “Some ABSU students were kidnapped. Can Mbaka negotiate like Gunmi?”