Gunmen Kidnap Three Nasarawa Varsity Students

The Nasarawa State command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the abduction of three students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) from an off-campus hostel along Awe Road, near the institution’s temporary campus in Akunza, Lafia.

The police said one of the abducted students had been rescued, while an intensive search-and-rescue operation was ongoing to secure the release of the remaining two victims and apprehend the gunmen.

Naija News reports that the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the command received a distress call over the incident at about 9:21 pm.

According to him, the gunmen approached the students’ residence, knocked on the door and subsequently gained access to the building.

“What happened was that the students were at home when the gunmen arrived. They knocked on the door and gained entry,” Nansel said.

The police spokesperson explained that the off-campus hostel was located in a secluded area close to the university’s temporary campus.

He said the residence was situated behind a high-tension power line and near a bush path leading towards Awe town, a location he described as vulnerable because of its proximity to the bush.

“That place is close to the bush. There is a gate there; whether you push it with your foot or your hand, it will open,” Nansel said.

According to the police spokesperson, kidnappers operating around the area often take advantage of the high-tension power corridor and cattle routes to escape into the surrounding forest after abducting their victims.

“Most of the time, when the kidnappers abduct someone, they follow the high-tension line, pass through that area and head into the bush,” he added.

Police Rescue One Student

Nansel said the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams and patrol operatives following the distress call.

According to him, the personnel were sent to the scene and the surrounding forest to carry out a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams and patrol operatives to the scene for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding forest.

“The prompt response led to the rescue of one of the abducted students, while efforts have been intensified to secure the safe release of the remaining two victims still in captivity and to arrest the perpetrators.

“The CP has directed all operational and intelligence assets of the Command to sustain the operation until the remaining victims are rescued unharmed,” Nansel said.

The police spokesperson said operatives were already on the trail of the abductors as the search continued in the surrounding areas.

Nansel also advised students against renting accommodation in secluded and vulnerable locations because of cheaper rent.

He said students living temporarily around the university should consider pooling resources to secure accommodation in safer and more populated areas rather than staying alone in isolated buildings.

“It’s not a place for anyone to live. People are looking for cheap accommodation. Instead of living alone, since it’s only a temporary stay, pool your resources together or contribute to rent a single house,” he said.

The Nasarawa State Police Command urged residents and members of the public with credible information about the abductors or the whereabouts of the remaining students to assist security agencies.

It assured that operational and intelligence efforts would be sustained until the two students still in captivity were rescued unharmed and the perpetrators arrested.