A video obtained shown personal belongings of students scattered in a classroom after bandits invaded Kogi State University of Science and Technology Osara, (CUSTECH).

Bandits kidnapped an unspecified number of students when they attacked the institution at about 9 pm on Thursday.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the bandits, who came in their large numbers, entered the school through the bush path and started shooting sporadically. 

It was further learnt that the school local security engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted for over 30 minutes.

According to one of the students, who escaped by whiskers, “the hoodlums invaded the school at about 9 pm and went straight to lecture halls where we were having tutorials preparatory for our upcoming first semester exams.

“The number of abducted students would have been less if the management had listened to the plea of students to open the mini-gate that leads into the main town,” he said.

He lamented that the students were left with only the main gate.

He added that when the shootout subsided, a number of students could not be readily accounted for.

The source further hinted that no fewer than 57 students were abducted, while one student sustained gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, the police and other security agencies have been mobilized to the school and the community.

Confirming the incident, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulraman Asipita said the situation was under control.

All efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, (PPRO) SP William Ovye Aya, proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.