Police in Plateau on Tuesday refuted rumours doing the rounds that three female students of Plateau State University, Bokkos, were kidnapped by bandits on Monday.
Police spokesman in the state, ASP Gabriel Ubah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that while it was true that bandits attacked the students’ village in Mbar community in Bokkos, no student was kidnapped.
“Some students lost their phones to the assailants, while a male student was shot, treated in a hospital and discharged,’’ Ubah said.
He added that investigation was on-going to track the assailants so as to bring them to justice.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Yohana Izam, also refuted claims that assailants kidnapped three students from the institution.
He equally confirmed the discharge from hospital of the male student who sustained gunshot injuries.
“We are taken aback by the attack on the students’ community, but we are equally happy that our students are intact.
“We are still investigating the incident, which we condemn in totality,’’ he said.
Izam appealed to the students to be calm as security operatives were investigating the attack.
Students of the university protested against the attack and called for more security personnel to be deployed in the university community.
Dr Bentse Pamson, ASUU Chairman in the university, who also condemned the attack, called for more security around the institution.
“This issue of insecurity in the institution is what we agitated for in our Memorandum of Action with the state government about two months ago.
“It’s unfortunate that nothing from the MOA signed between ASUU and the government has been implemented,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Simon Lalong has lauded security operatives for foiling the attempted kidnap of four students at the Plateau State University, Bokkos.
This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Makut Macham, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, on Tuesday in Jos.
Lalong, who commended the security agencies for being proactive, directed the immediate establishment of a police post within the host community of the university in order to forestall any future re-occurrence.
The governor also directed that security should be tightened in all schools across the state to guarantee the safety and security of students.
He also assured the students that all necessary measures would be taken that they learn and dwell under a peaceful, secure and conducive environment.(NAN)
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