4 female university students abducted on campus

Four female students from Joseph Sarwan Tarka University, Makurdi, JoSTM, formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, were kidnapped on campus by armed men on Tuesday night.

This incident led the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, at the institution to call for the immediate release of the kidnapped students, attributing the unfortunate event to the weak security structure of the university.

A source, who is a student of the university and requested anonymity, revealed that the four victims, identified as Emmanuella, Fola, Susan, and Ella, resided on campus in Zamfara Hostel. They were ambushed by five armed men around 8:30 p.m. while heading to a lecture hall to study.

The source stated that panic spread throughout the university as students rushed out of their hostels in protest and to verify the identities of those affected by the abduction.

According to her, “We are still in shock over the untoward incident involving four female students who are our friends who were kidnapped on campus last night which is simply unacceptable.”

“From information we have, two of the victims have been confirmed to be 300 Level students and they reside here on campus in Zamfara Hostel in the North Core part of the University. They were on their way to one of the lecture halls to read about 8:30p.m., when they walked into an ambush by five gunmen.”

“The armed men were said to have surrounded the students and ordered them to accompany them, but they ran into the bush in a bid to escape and at the same time shouted for help.”

“But the armed men cocked their guns and ordered them out of the bush or they would all be killed. The students obeyed, came out and accompanied them. As we speak, we do not know where they have taken them to.”

“As we speak, the atmosphere on campus is charged because students are angry and cannot accept a situation where they cannot be safe and secured in the university, particularly when we considered the fact that the best time to read is at night in the lecture halls. But with this development, students can no longer feel safe to move to the lecture halls to read. It is unacceptable.”

As of the time of reporting, the university had not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations were ongoing.

In response to the situation, ASUU-FUAM, in a statement issued by its Chairman, Paul Anyagh, stated: “With what has happened, the union is not sure that its members will be safe on campus given that this incident is one too many. In the past, a member of our union was kidnapped at the University staff quarters, although he was later released, it goes to show the porous security nature of our campus.”

“Also, we have had cases of kidnap of students in the past on our campus, and given this circumstance, the union is no longer sure of the security of her members for the discharge of their legitimate duties.”

“In light of the foregoing, we are appealing to the University administration and all security agencies in the state to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of the four students who were kidnapped. This will ensure stability on campus for smooth academic activities.”

“We also demand the improvement of the security architecture on campus to ensure a safe environment for teaching and learning. The union is standing in solidarity with our students and parents and do hope for the safe release of the abducted students soonest.”

“Meanwhile, members of our union are enjoined to be calm in these challenging times with the hope that the university administration is doing her very best to secure the campus for smooth academic activities.”