Gunmen have abducted three students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) from their off-campus residence in Nasarawa State, prompting the police to launch a manhunt for the kidnappers.
The students were reportedly taken from Sure Leaders Lodge in the Bukan Kwato area, near the university, at about 8:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Nasarawa State Police Command said efforts were underway to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed that although no arrests had been made, investigators had identified some persons of interest and were optimistic the students would be rescued soon.
“So far, no arrest has been made, but efforts are ongoing to ensure their safe release. We have some people we have pencilled down who have been recognised, but we are waiting for confirmation.
With what is going on, they will soon be out of that place,” Nansel said.
A student of the university, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims are all 100-level students.
He described the abduction as another worrying security incident around the institution.
“The issue of kidnapping in this environment has become a thing of great concern.
We are urging the government to deploy enough security personnel around the university because we are now becoming scared to sleep with our two eyes closed,” the student said.
The latest incident has heightened concerns among students and parents over the safety of off-campus hostels around the university.
Sources in the Federal University of Lafia’s Information Unit said they were not aware of the reported abduction but confirmed knowledge of an attack on a female student.
As of the time of filing this report, the university management had yet to issue an official statement on the kidnapping.
