Students and staff members of Federal University Gusau, who were kidnapped by bandits seven months ago, have regained their freedom.
The victims were abducted in the Gusau area of Zamfara State in February 2024. Security analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed their release via a report on X formerly Twitter on Monday, but did not provide details about the circumstances of their release or if any ransom was involved. Makama noted that security forces played a key role in securing their freedom.
Makama wrote: “Abducted students of Federal University Gusau and staff regain freedom.
“It was gathered that the students and staff were kidnapped during an attack by bandits in the Gusau area in February of this year.
“After spending an extended period in captivity, it has been confirmed that all the abducted individuals have returned in good health. Although details of how their release was secured remain unclear, security forces were said to have played a crucial role in their rescue.”
READ ALSO : Bandits kidnap students of Federal University of Gusau
Credible News recalls that unspecified number of students of the Federal University of Gusau in Zamfara State were abducted by bandits on 22 September 2023.
An indigene of Sabon Gida village, Abubakar Sani, disclosed that the bandits, who came in large numbers, stormed the students’ off-campus residences in the village, taking away mainly females.
Another resident of the community identified as Nazeer Sabon-Gida, told newsmen that the gunmen invaded the community around 3am and started shooting sporadically.
Sabon-Gida disclosed that three students’ hostels were attacked and all the students in the hostels were taken away by the bandits.
He said: “They entered the town around 3 a.m. and started shooting indiscriminately.
“We have yet to confirm the number of students kidnapped because the bandits entered three hostels and kidnapped all the students there. It is difficult to ascertain their numbers now”.
However, a search and rescue operation was conducted by a combined team of law enforcement agencies and the abductees were subsequently released in three batches.
The first batch was rescued on 15 March, while the second batch was rescued on 12 April. The last batch was rescued two days later on Sunday 14 April.
Credible News.ng