20 of the 24 students of the university kidnapped last week have been rescued by security operatives and local hunters

Six more kidnapped students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Osara, Kogi State, have been rescued unhurt.

This increased to 20 the number of students of the university rescued by a combined team of security operatives and local hunters.

The state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, made the disclosure in a statement in Lokoja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that suspected bandits invaded the institution on Thursday and abducted 24 students.

The students were abducted while reading for their first semester examination slated to begin on 13 May

"Government's data shows that only four students are still missing from Thursday's abduction of CUSTECH students.

"Meanwhile, frantic efforts are being made to locate and rescue the four.

"Fierce gun battle between security agents and the kidnappers forced the kidnappers to abandon the six rescued students, with some escaping with severe injuries.

"The families of the six recently-rescued students have confirmed their safe return home as the first 14," he said.

The commissioner said the state Gov Usman Ododo had expressed deep appreciation to the joint forces that carried out the rescue operations.

He quoted the governor as urging the forces to continue the search until the remaining students would be found.

"This government wishes to assure the public that the security architecture around schools has been recalibrated for efficiency and early warning systems to prevent future occurrences," Mr Fanwo said.