By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Three female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, (formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, FUAM), have reportedly been abducted from their campus by unknown gunmen.
A student of the university who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the three victims whom she said reside in Zamfara Hostel were ambushed by five armed men at about 8:30pm on Tuesday, while on their way to one of the lecture halls to study.
The student said there was pandemonium in the institution when the news filtered into the campus as the students trooped outside their hostels in protest and to confirm the actual victims of the incident.
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 the 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 around 8:30pm when they walked into an ambush by five unknown 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 shouting 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.
“This is simply unacceptable and we are not happy. We cannot be living in fear on campus. The school management must do everything to immediately secure the release of the students and also ensure maximum security for all students and staff of this institution.
“As we speak, the atmosphere on campus is charged because students are angry and cannot accept a situation where they cannot be safe and secure in the university, particularly when we consider 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.”
The registrar of the institution, Dr John David, in a statement, confirmed the incident and urged the staff, students and the general public to remain calm.as efforts were ongoing to address the security situation.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Catherine Anene, who confirmed the development said investigation into the incident was ongoing.
