The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected kidnappers following the abduction of three students of the Federal University of Lafia.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the incident occurred on Tuesday night when armed men attacked an area close to the institution.
According to the statement, the Command received a distress call at about 9:20 p.m. from the university’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), who reported that students living at Living Seed Lodge, situated in a bushy area on the outskirts of the students’ residential community, had been kidnapped.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams, patrol officers, and other security personnel to the scene.
The security operatives quickly launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission in the surrounding forest, leading to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students.
Nansel said efforts have been intensified to secure the release of the two remaining victims still being held captive while also tracking down those responsible for the attack.
He added that the Commissioner of Police has directed all operational and intelligence units of the Command to sustain the ongoing operation until the remaining students are rescued safely.
The police chief also reassured residents that the Command remains committed to ensuring the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.
Kidnappings targeting students and educational institutions have remained a major security concern in parts of northern Nigeria despite increased security measures. While large-scale school abductions have reduced in recent years following intensified military and police operations, isolated attacks on students living in off-campus hostels and nearby communities continue to pose serious challenges, prompting renewed calls for improved campus security and protection of students.
