Gunmen Strike, Abduct Federal University Lafia Students Again

Unknown Gunmen on Wednesday invaded the Gandu community in Nasarawa State and abducted some students at the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA).

According to an eyewitness account, the invading gunmen believed to be bandits, came in their numbers at about 7:30 pm on Wednesday and began shooting sporadically into the air to scare away the residents of the area, but quickly retreated and escaped into the nearby bushes after noticing that the security operatives were on their trail

Pleading anonymity, the source, who is a member of the University community, hinted that for several hours the gunmen kept their cool only to return later early on Thursday at around 2 am but this time their target was the Conference Hotel located along Makurdi road, opposite Nasarawa Housing Estate.

In the process, five students of the University were taken captive by the rampaging gunmen whose sporadic shooting forced the students and other residents to flee and scamper for safety in the ensuing confusion.

It was further gathered that the invaders freely operated for about three hours within the Gandu area, which is a student community located opposite the permanent site of the institution and many persons sustained injuries as they ran for dear life.

The University’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abubakar Ibrahim, while confirming the incident, said it was difficult to ascertain the number of students ferried away by the gunmen as the authorities intend to take a census and further liaise with the relevant security agencies to get adequate information on the invasion and the number of missing students and persons

“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 to five. However, the university is working hard to ensure all students live within the school campus”, Ibrahim said

In a related development, students at the university embarked on a peaceful protest to demand an end to the incidents of kidnapping and abduction that have become persistent around the institution’s environment with most students now living in constant fear and anxiety.

As at the last count, available statistics indicate that over 15 students of the University have been abducted within the ongoing semester alone and their relatives have coughed out huge amounts as ransom to ensure freedom for their wards.

Reliable sources confirmed that the ransom paid to these marauding gunmen and bandits ranges from about N500,000 to over five million Naira to secure the release of victims from their abductors, even as it has been difficult to ascertain the fate that may have befallen those whose families have been unable to raise funds for the ransom payment so far.