Fear and tension gripped residents of Gudi in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State after gunmen abducted six students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), during a late-night attack on an off-campus hostel.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, has triggered a major security operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), vigilante groups and other tactical teams.
The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the abduction on Thursday and said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible for the attack.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Rahman Nansel, the armed men invaded a student lodge at Anguwar Ninzo in Gudi at about 9pm.
He explained that the attackers stormed the hostel located outside the university campus and forcefully took away several occupants.
Police investigations later confirmed that six of the victims were students of the Faculty of Engineering at the Gudi Campus of Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Another person who was present at the lodge during the attack was also reportedly abducted by the gunmen.
The identities of the victims had not been officially released as of Thursday evening.
Residents said the attackers arrived suddenly and operated for several minutes before escaping with the victims to an unknown destination.
Some witnesses said gunshots were heard during the attack, causing panic among students and residents living around the area.
Many students reportedly fled their hostels in fear after news of the abduction spread across the community.
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Mohammed, later visited the scene of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment.
During the visit, the police commissioner assured students, university authorities and residents that security agencies were doing everything possible to rescue the abducted victims safely.
He also directed security personnel to intensify operations in the area and track down the kidnappers.
Security sources said a coordinated rescue mission had already begun, with operatives combing nearby forests and suspected hideouts.
The police also announced the redeployment of the Area Commander in Akwanga to coordinate field operations and strengthen the rescue effort.
SP Nansel said security agencies were determined to ensure the safe return of the victims.
“The operation is aimed at tracking down the abductors, rescuing the victims unhurt and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” he stated.
He urged residents and members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could help the operation.
“We appeal to residents to stay alert and report suspicious movements or information to the nearest security agency,” the police spokesman added.
The latest abduction has again raised concerns over the growing insecurity facing schools and communities in different parts of the country.
Although Nasarawa State has not witnessed attacks on the scale seen in some neighbouring states, cases of kidnapping for ransom and attacks by armed groups have increased in recent years.
Communities located along forest areas and major highways have been particularly vulnerable to attacks by kidnappers and criminal gangs.
The attack has also renewed concerns among parents and education stakeholders about the safety of students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
In recent years, several universities and schools in the northern part of the country have experienced attacks involving abduction of students.
One of the most widely reported incidents occurred in 2021 when gunmen abducted students from Greenfield University in Kaduna State. Similar attacks were also recorded in schools in Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna states.
Although many of the victims were later released, the incidents sparked national outrage and forced authorities to review security arrangements around schools.
The Federal Government had introduced measures under the Safe School Initiative aimed at improving security in educational institutions and protecting students from attacks.
However, concerns remain over the implementation of such measures, especially in rural areas where security presence is often limited.
Students of Nasarawa State University expressed shock over Wednesday night’s attack and called for improved security around the campus and surrounding hostels.
Some students said fear had spread across the university community following the abduction.
“We are scared because this happened close to where students live. Many people could not sleep after hearing what happened,” a student said.
Another student appealed to the government and school authorities to strengthen security patrols around student lodges.
“We need more protection, especially in off-campus areas where students stay,” the student added.
Community leaders in Gudi also condemned the attack and called on security agencies to intensify surveillance in the area.
They warned that repeated attacks could affect economic and social activities in the community and create fear among residents.
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, is one of the major state-owned universities in the North-Central region, with thousands of students studying across different campuses.
The Gudi campus houses some departments under the Faculty of Engineering and attracts students from different parts of the country.
As rescue operations continue, families of the abducted students are said to be anxiously waiting for positive news from security agencies.
The police have assured the public that all available resources are being deployed to secure the release of the victims and restore calm in the area.