Gunmen kidnap Enugu Health College students, prophetess in Oji

Gunmen kidnap Enugu Health College students, prophetess in Oji

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have abducted a yet-to-be-ascertained number of students from the College of Health Technology, Oji, in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a separate incident, the gunmen also abducted a popular prophetess in the area.

It was learnt that the assailants first traced the woman to her residence but did not meet her; then they proceeded to her church where she was found and abducted.

A community leader who did not want his name in print confirmed the incident, adding that no one knew the reason for the attack. He, however, doubted if the attack was carried out by herdsmen.

The situation had caused gloom and uncertainty among students of the school and the entire Oji community as no one has been able to establish contact with the abductors neither have they made any demand for ransom about the time this report was filed.

In a viral video on Friday, a young man, who was seen wearing blood-stained clothes, was heard narrating how the incident happened, adding that he was lucky to escape alive.

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“I am the only person who managed to escape. They have abducted everyone.

It happened at the School of Health. I have reported at the police station,” he said, while some persons were heard urging him to rush to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Confirming the incident in a late release on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Daniel Ndukwe, said that only five students were abducted, but two were promptly rescued

He described the viral video as misleading, adding that efforts were under way to rescue the remaining victims, apprehend the culprits.

“The Enugu State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the viral video alleging that a countless number of students were kidnapped at the Enugu State College of Health Technology Oji-River is false and an act of mischief and misinformation aimed at misleading and creating panic among unsuspecting citizens.

“Contrary to the spurious narrative in the viral video, in the evening hours of August 15, 2024, police operatives at the Oji-River Division of the Command received information alleging an act of abduction around the said college.

“They immediately hastened to the scene, rescuing two of the victims allegedly abducted, while three others are yet-to-be found. However, vigorous operations are ongoing to locate and rescue them, as well as apprehend the abductors.

“Preliminary investigation proved that the victims were driving out of the college, when the seemingly targeted incident occurred.”

Gunmen kidnap Enugu Health College students, prophetess in Oji