Six students en route to the Nigerian Law School in Yola have been abducted, and the kidnappers are reportedly requesting a ransom of N20 million for each of the victims.
The students were traveling from Onitsha in Anambra State when they were ambushed along a known danger zone between Wukari in Taraba State and a part of Benue State. The area has a reputation for violent attacks and high insecurity.
Sources confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday evening, just as the students were returning from their court externship and preparing to resume academic activities on Monday.
Initial reactions among fellow students included disbelief, but the situation became more serious after one of the kidnapped students briefly answered a call. He cried for help and pleaded for N20 million to be sent for his release, while background noise suggested they were being held under distressing conditions.
Chisom, a colleague of the abducted students, explained that he tried reaching several of them after hearing rumors of the abduction. He managed to connect with one victim, confirming the worst fears.
Some of the missing individuals have been identified as Rev Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel and Obiorah David.
A classmate residing in Bayelsa State said he had been informed days earlier by the wife of one of the kidnapped students. This earlier report, which came on Thursday, was the first indication that the students had been taken.
Student leaders at the Yola campus have alerted the police. One of them, who chose to remain anonymous, said they had contacted the Adamawa State Police Command and were awaiting updates.
When reached for comment, Yahaya Suleiman, spokesperson for the Adamawa Police Command, confirmed the case had been brought to their attention. However, he clarified that the abduction did not happen within Adamawa territory.
He advised that further details be obtained from the Benue State Police Command and assured that both commands were cooperating to ensure the victims’ safe return.
He also stated that there was ongoing collaboration between various law enforcement agencies to maintain the safety of all those entering Adamawa State.
Attempts to reach Anene Catherine, the spokesperson for the Benue Police Command, were unsuccessful as calls and messages to her number were not returned.
This incident is not without precedent. In 2022, two students from the Nigerian Law School’s Agbani campus in Enugu State were abducted while shopping for food at the Eke Agbani market. They were captured by armed men and taken to an undisclosed location.
Concern continues to mount among families and students alike, as they wait for news of the abducted victims and call on the authorities to act swiftly.