The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected kidnappers following the abduction of three students of the Federal University of Lafia during an attack near the institution on Tuesday night.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the armed assailants invaded the area where the students reside before whisking away the victims.
According to the statement, the command received a distress call at about 9:20 p.m. from the university’s Chief Security Officer, informing the police that unidentified gunmen had abducted students living at Living Seed Lodge, a private hostel located in a bushy area on the outskirts of the university’s student residential community.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams, patrol operatives and other security personnel to the scene to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Police operatives swiftly launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding forest, leading to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students.
“The prompt response of the police led to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students.
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“Efforts have since been intensified to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining two victims still in captivity and the arrest of the perpetrators,” the statement said.
The command noted that security operatives have sustained intensive search operations across the affected area as part of efforts to secure the release of the remaining students.
The Commissioner of Police directed all operational and intelligence units of the command to maintain pressure on the kidnappers until the victims are rescued unharmed.
He assured residents and members of the university community that the command remains committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted students and bringing those responsible for the crime to justice.
The police also urged members of the public with useful information that could assist ongoing investigations or rescue efforts to promptly report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.