The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Ibadan has confirmed the abduction of a 300-level female Law student of the institution while returning from a religious conference in Imo State.

The student, identified as Tomisin, was said to have been abducted alongside seven other persons while travelling back to Ibadan after attending the Scripture Union National Conference held at the Camp of Faith, Okigwe, Imo State.

In a statement issued on Friday, the President of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union, Temidayo Adeboye, said the victim was travelling with other participants, including the National General Director of the Scripture Union Student Fellowship, Uwem Cosmos, when communication with the convoy was lost.

Adeboye clarified that only one University of Ibadan student was involved in the incident, countering reports circulating on social media that eight UI students were missing.

He said Tomisin is a 300-level student of the Faculty of Law, serving as the National Secretary of the Scripture Union Student Fellowship, Nigeria, and Vice President of the fellowship’s UI chapter.

“The union has initiated necessary engagements to ascertain the facts surrounding the situation and has established contact with relevant religious organisations and security agencies to facilitate appropriate intervention,” Adeboye said.

He added that the SUG was working closely with stakeholders to ensure swift action towards securing the safe return of the abducted student.

According to him, misinformation about the number of affected students had created unnecessary panic within the university community.

“We wish to clarify that reports claiming that eight University of Ibadan students are missing are inaccurate. Tomisin is the only UI student currently unaccounted for in the incident,” he stated.

Adeboye further noted that concerns about the student’s whereabouts heightened after she failed to sit for scheduled faculty examinations earlier in the week.

He also disclosed that another University of Ibadan student from the Department of Music, who attended the same conference, had safely returned to campus.

Meanwhile, the University’s Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Joke Akinpelu, confirmed awareness of the incident, noting that the institution was not officially informed of the student’s travel arrangements prior to her departure.

She explained that the incident reportedly occurred on Saturday and reiterated that only one UI student was affected, contrary to earlier claims on social media.

As efforts intensify to secure the release of the abducted persons, students, friends and members of the Scripture Union Student Fellowship have called for prayers and swift intervention by security agencies.