Twice attacked on same day, twice lucky, Senator recounts ordeal; university students freed

Twice, Senator Clifford Ordia was attacked between Kogi State and Abuja, but while he was twice lucky, escaping unhurt, it was not so for three of the policemen with him. One was critically injured and is receiving treatment in Abuja.

For three students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in Benue State, kidnapped last Saturday night, they are free. The three were released by their abductors, and no ransom was paid, according to the university spokeswoman, Mrs. Rose Waku. The police confirmed same.

Senator Clifford Ordia, the Senate Chairman on Local and Foreign Debts repeated the ringing call for a restructuring of the country’s security architecture while briefing journalists in Abuja on his Monday experience.

His story, “We were coming from Edo State, somewhere between Okene and Lokoja, when we met these suspected bandits. They opened fire on my convoy. The gallant policemen had to immediately return fire.

“The other security vehicle behind had to immediately join them and they were able to repel the suspected bandits. During the exchange, three of the policemen sustained gun wounds. One of them was critically injured. We had to immediately rush them to a Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State.

“They did their best and was able to stabilise them. I’d to immediately put a call across the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja to be on standby. One of the policemen had a bullet lodged close to his liver.

“We met another setback around Abaji. There was traffic because of the incidence and because we had to save the lives of the wounded policemen, we decided to make a move. They opened fire on us. Some vigilantes had to join the policemen and they were chased into the bush.

“That was how I survived that attack. If you see all my vehicles, you’ll see how the bullets damaged them. But I’m glad that we all survived. I must salute the gallantry of our policemen. If given the right equipment, they can do a lot and protect Nigerians.”