The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued one of the three students abducted by suspected kidnappers from the Federal University of Lafia, while intensifying efforts to secure the release of the remaining two victims.
The command said it had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers, assuring residents that all available operational and intelligence resources had been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining students and the arrest of those responsible.
The students were abducted at about 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday after unidentified armed men invaded Living Seed Lodge, a student residence located in a bushy area on the outskirts of the university community in Lafia.
According to the command on Wednesday, the incident was reported by the university’s Chief Security Officer, who alerted the police that three students had been taken by the gunmen.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams, patrol operatives and other security personnel to the scene. The operatives subsequently launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding forest.
The police said the swift response led to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students, while efforts had been intensified to secure the release of the two others still in captivity.
Mohammed directed all operational and intelligence assets of the command to sustain the ongoing operation until the remaining victims were rescued unharmed, assuring the public that the perpetrators would be apprehended and brought to justice.
The command urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid the ongoing operation. It also advised members of the public to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police station.