The Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued five students kidnapped from Rivers State University (RSU) in Emuoha Local Government Area. The operation, confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, took place on Thursday morning in Rumudogo 2 Community. The students, who were abducted from an off-campus residence earlier in the week, were recovered unharmed thanks to a coordinated effort by the police, other security agencies, and the local community.
The five rescued students are Prince London, Azubuike Kelechukwu, Elizabeth Aniete, Onyebuchi Precious, and London Sampson. The police said the students were abducted by unidentified cultists from their isolated residences but were quickly traced and freed. “Our tactical teams led the operation in collaboration with other security agencies and with support from the local community,” SP Iringe-Koko stated.
The rescued students have been taken to a hospital for medical examinations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors. The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olugbenga Adepoju, warned the perpetrators that they would face the full force of the law. He urged security agencies, community members, and the public to continue their cooperation in curbing violent crimes in the state.
“We want to assure residents that they can continue their daily activities without fear. Security remains our top priority,” Commissioner Adepoju added.
The latest kidnapping comes just days after another off-campus residence of RSU was attacked. In that incident, students’ properties were stolen, and one student was stabbed while attempting to protect a female student. A security dog assigned to the campus was also shot dead during the attack.
Following the series of attacks, the management of RSU temporarily suspended lessons at the Emuoha campus to protect students and assess security measures. The administration has also received requests from students to be relocated to the main campus due to ongoing safety concerns.
The attacks highlight a growing security challenge for students living in isolated off-campus hostels and residences across Rivers State. Cult groups and criminal gangs have increasingly targeted educational institutions, taking advantage of limited security presence and the isolated locations of some student accommodations.
Police sources credited the local community for providing intelligence that led to the students’ rescue. Residents reportedly alerted the authorities about the movements of the abductors in Rumudogo 2 Community, enabling security forces to plan a swift intervention.
“The cooperation between the police and community members was critical in ensuring that the students were rescued unharmed,” SP Iringe-Koko said.
Community leaders in Emuoha have praised the police for their quick response and for engaging residents in the rescue operation. They also called for increased security patrols around schools, hostels, and isolated student residences to prevent future incidents.
The wave of kidnappings has created fear among students and parents. Many students now prefer to stay on the main campus, where security is stronger, rather than living in satellite hostels in Emuoha and surrounding areas. Some parents have reportedly withdrawn their wards from the satellite campuses, fearing repeated attacks.
Students who spoke to journalists said they were grateful to the police for the successful rescue but emphasized that safety must be improved to allow them to focus on their studies. One student, who requested anonymity, said, “We are happy our friends are safe, but we still feel unsafe living off-campus. Security agencies must provide constant patrols, especially at night.”
The management of RSU has assured students and parents that additional security measures are being implemented. These include enhanced lighting, installation of CCTV cameras, and increased patrols by armed security personnel around off-campus hostels.
While celebrating the rescue, Police Commissioner Adepoju emphasized that the operation was just the beginning. Authorities are still tracking the abductors, who remain at large. “We will not rest until all the culprits are brought to justice,” he said.
The Rivers State Police Command has advised students to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around their residences. They have also urged landlords and hostel managers to cooperate fully with security agencies and ensure that students are living in safe environments.
Kidnappings and cult-related violence in universities and tertiary institutions are not unique to Rivers State. Across Nigeria, there has been an increase in attacks targeting students in off-campus hostels. Criminal groups often exploit poor lighting, lack of security personnel, and the isolation of some campuses.
According to the National Universities Commission (NUC), institutions in the Niger Delta, North Central, and South-East regions have reported frequent incidents of campus cult clashes, robberies, and abductions over the past five years. Education experts have warned that these attacks disrupt learning, discourage parents from sending their children to distant campuses, and affect the overall quality of education.
In Rivers State, authorities have been urged to strengthen intelligence gathering and surveillance around schools and hostels. Analysts also recommend community policing and improved coordination between the police, school management, and local residents to prevent future incidents.
Parents and students have called for the immediate implementation of comprehensive security plans at RSU and other universities in the state. These include the deployment of trained security personnel, coordination with local vigilante groups, and the use of modern surveillance technology to monitor isolated areas.
One parent, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwo, said, “Our children’s lives should not be at risk just because they live off-campus. Authorities must ensure that all students are safe, and strict measures should be taken against criminal gangs operating near campuses.”
The successful rescue of the five students has brought relief to RSU and the broader community, but it also underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard students across the state. Authorities have vowed to maintain vigilance and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.