10 Lafia varsity students kidnapped by gunmen

Ten students of Federal University of Lafia were Thursday night kidnapped by armed bandits believed to be Fulani herders.

An eyewitness told The Guardian that the men invaded Gandu, a students’ community opposite the permanent site of the university at about 2:00 a.m., shooting, and forcing students out of their residences.

The eyewitness said the operation lasted about two hours uninterrupted.

Confirming the incident, Public Relations Officer of the university, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the actual number of abducted students remains uncertain. He, however, said three to five students may have been kidnapped.

“It is too early to ascertain the exact number of students because those affected are not living within the school premises but off campus. From available information, the number of students abducted is between three and five. The university is working hard to ensure all students live within the school campus,” Ibrahim added.

MEANWHILE, the students embarked on a peaceful protest, demanding an end to kidnappings at the university.

Abductions have become recurring at the institution, with students now living in fear.

More than 15 students were reportedly kidnapped during the current semester, with huge ransom said to have been paid for their release.

One of the victims, who spoke to our reporter in Lafia, said: “We were five, alongside a lady. They (gunmen) beat and threatened us. They forced us to walk and run, at some point, all through the night. They later collected N500,000 from my parents and released me. I don’t know what happened to the rest because they could not afford to pay.”