Four female students of Joseph Sarwan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTM), formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, were reportedly abducted on Tuesday night by unidentified armed men.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on campus as the students, identified as Emmanuella, Fola, Susan, and Ella, were on their way to a lecture hall to study.
According to a fellow student who spoke anonymously, the victims, who reside in Zamfara Hostel within the North Core area of the university, were ambushed by five armed men. The attackers surrounded them and ordered them to follow, prompting the students to flee into a nearby bush while calling for help.
However, the gunmen cocked their weapons and threatened to kill them if they did not surrender. Fearing for their lives, the students complied and were taken away to an unknown location.
News of the abduction spread quickly across campus, triggering panic and protests as students gathered outside their hostels to confirm the victims’ identities and demand urgent action. Many expressed outrage over the security situation, insisting that the university management must act swiftly to secure the release of the abducted students and implement measures to ensure the safety of everyone on campus.
A student described the situation as unacceptable, emphasizing that many rely on nighttime study sessions in lecture halls, but the fear of insecurity now threatens their academic activities. The tense atmosphere on campus has left students anxious, with calls for immediate intervention from the school authorities.
As of the time of this report, the university had yet to issue an official statement on the abduction. Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is ongoing.
