Gunmen have abducted three students of the Federal University of Lafia in Nasarawa State, with police confirming the rescue of one of the victims during a search operation.
The students were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday night from Living Seed Lodge, an off-campus hostel located in a bushy area on the outskirts of Lafia.
The spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, saying the command received a distress call at about 9:20pm from the university’s Chief Security Officer.
According to him, the security official reported that three students had been abducted by unidentified gunmen from the private lodge.
Nansel said police operatives immediately mobilised to the scene and launched a coordinated search of the surrounding forest in a bid to rescue the victims.
He disclosed that the operation led to the rescue of one of the abducted students, while efforts had been intensified to secure the release of the two others still being held by the kidnappers.
The police spokesperson said the rescue operation was being carried out in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, assuring residents that every available resource was being deployed to ensure the victims regained their freedom safely.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the abductors.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of students residing in off-campus hostels, particularly those located in isolated areas around Lafia, as security agencies continue efforts to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.