The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected kidnappers following the abduction of several students from an off-campus residence in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
The incident was said to have occurred on Tuesday night at a students’ lodge located in Anguwar Ninzo, on the outskirts of the Gudi community.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Ramhan Nansel, armed men invaded the lodge at about 9pm and forcefully whisked away some of the occupants to an unknown destination.
Nansel disclosed that six of the victims are students of the Faculty of Engineering, Gudi Campus of Nasarawa State University, while another abducted person was said to be a visitor who came to see one of the students at the time of the attack.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and assured residents as well as members of the university community that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue the victims.
“The Command remains fully committed to the safe rescue of the abducted victims, while all necessary security measures are being intensified to ensure those behind the act are apprehended,” the police commissioner said.
As part of efforts to strengthen the rescue operation, the command redeployed the Area Commander in Akwanga to oversee and coordinate ongoing field operations in the affected area.
The police further disclosed that a joint security operation involving personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilante groups and other tactical teams had been launched to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims.
Security operatives were said to be combing nearby forests and surrounding communities as investigations continue.
Residents have, however, been urged to remain calm and vigilant, while providing useful information that could assist security agencies in the ongoing rescue mission.
The latest abduction has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Nasarawa State, especially around student-populated communities.
