The students were said to be returning from a religious programme of some Marist Brothers in Orlu, Imo State, Saturday evening, when they ran into the Fulani bandits who suddenly fired bullets and blocked their bus from the bush.
The deceased student, identified as Master Donald Edeh and his colleagues are members of the band boys sent to represent the school at the event.
Principal of the school, Rev. Joachim Ezetulugo, stated that the parents of the dead and wounded students had been contacted.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that kidnapping by Fulani bandits have been on the increase around the Uturu-Ihube- Okigwe road as they hide in the surrounding hills, valleys and cashew plantations to attack unsuspecting motorists.
Meanwhile, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie has directed the State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede, to liaise with her Imo State counterpart to apprehend the kidnappers of the students.
Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, disclosed that the State Government has confirmed from the management of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, that the three students who sustained injuries from the attack have been treated and discharged while the parents of Master Ede Donald have been contacted.
The Commissioner further debunked reports that students of the Abia State University, Uturu, were kidnapped in the attack, stressing that the Vice Chancellor of the University has confirmed the information that no student of the institution was abducted.
“It was with sadness that we received the news of an attack on commuters by hoodlums operating along Ihube, Okigwe LGA of Imo State, which affected some students of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede, to, as a matter of urgency, liaise with her counterpart in Imo State to swiftly arrest the hoodlums and bring them to justice.
“The circulating report sponsored by these unconscionable individuals that ten students of Abia State University, Uturu, were abducted yesterday is not only untrue but also wicked and a creation of the evil minds of those who are ready to do anything in pursuit of their selfish objectives against the overall interests of the State.
“The management of Abia State University, including the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maxwell Ogbulu, has confirmed that no student of the institution was abducted yesterday as against fake reports obviously sponsored by these elements.”
