Update: Abducted Nasarawa Varsity Students Regain Freedom

Two of the rescued students

Four students of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State that were abducted by bandits have been freed from captivity.

The students who were abducted on Thursday, January 14, were reportedly released in the late hours of Saturday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, who spoke through the Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, confirmed the victims’ release in a statement on Sunday.

While applauding Nasarawa State Government and the general public for their contributions, prayers and support to the University during the trying moment, he thanked Daily Trust Newspaper for its accurate, effective and prompt reportage of the institution activities.

“The Management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) wishes to happily announce that the four students of the University who were kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday, January 13, 2022, have been released by their abductors," the statement reads.

“The vice-chancellor expresses the University’s special appreciation to the security agencies for their timely interventions that led to the quick and safe return of the students,” he said.

The VC explained that upon their release, the students underwent medical checks and they were all found to be in good condition.

He further urged the students to remain calm and go about their normal activities on both campuses of the university.

The Vice Chancellor assured the parents, students and public of his administration’s commitment to make lives and property safe in and around the campuses of the University.

Meanwhile, one Agu Emmanuel, a brother to one of the kidnapped victim, who confirmed the release of his sister, claimed that the abductors contacted them and demanded N100m ransom for her release.

"On behalf of my family I'm here as that one leper in Luke 17:15, to return all glory to God almighty for the life of my kid sis., The Love of my life. For his infinite mercy and grace over her life.

"She is a student of federal university Lafia (Fulafia) 100 level. On Thursday about 11:30pm some unknown gunmen stormed her lodge at mararaba close to school campus and Adopted(kidnapped) her together with three(3) of her neighbors who are also a student of the same institution.

"The kidnappers contacted my aunty and demanded for a Ransom of one hundred million naira. (#100,000,000) to be paid for her released.

When the information got to me i smiled for i know the God whom i served. To cut the whole story short. We traded our sleep, denied our body for some pleasure (food) in terms of fasting and prayers. We just put God to remembrance of his words and that settles it.

She has been released early hour of today by 1:00am, free of charge, no penny was paid. And before then they called my aunty and was begging her telling her how sorry they're and not to worry that they will take her to where there took her from. Please join me and celebrate his faithfulness. JESUS IS LORD."