LAFIA, Nasarawa State — Three students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) were abducted by unidentified gunmen from their off-campus residence in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday night, prompting a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies.
The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the incident, announcing that one of the abducted students has since been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining two victims.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the abduction occurred at about 9:20 p.m. when armed men invaded an off-campus lodge occupied by the students.
He said the university's Chief Security Officer immediately reported the incident to the police, leading to the rapid deployment of security operatives to the area and surrounding forests where the kidnappers were believed to have fled.
The command confirmed that one student was successfully rescued during the operation, while security personnel have intensified search efforts to locate and free the remaining victims.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed all tactical teams and other security agencies to sustain the rescue operation until the abducted students are safely returned.
The latest incident has heightened concerns over the security of students living in off-campus accommodations around tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State.
The abduction comes barely two months after six students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) were kidnapped from an off-campus residence in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area. The students were later released after spending several days in captivity.
Parents, students, and residents have called for stronger security measures around universities and host communities to curb the growing threat of kidnapping targeting students.
As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the abducted students had not been released by authorities, and no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security agencies urged members of the public with useful information that could aid the rescue operation to report to the nearest police formation.
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