Nasarawa Police launch a manhunt after three first-year Federal University of Lafia students were abducted from an off-campus lodge, raising fresh security concerns

The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of three students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), following their abduction from an off-campus lodge in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

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The FULafia students kidnapping occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on Saturday at Sure Leaders Lodge in the Bukan Kwato area, a community located close to the university’s main campus. The victims are reportedly all 100-level students.

Confirming the development in an interview on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said security operatives had intensified efforts to rescue the students unharmed and bring those responsible to justice.

According to SP Nansel, investigators have made significant progress behind the scenes, although no arrests had been made as of Tuesday.

“So far, no arrest has been made, but efforts are ongoing to ensure their safe release. Though there are underground works that has been done on the pipeline, so we expect to get them released soon,” he said.

The police spokesperson added that investigators had identified persons of interest whose involvement was being verified.

“We have some people we have pencilled down who have been recognised, but we are waiting for confirmation. But with what is going on, they will soon be out of that place,” SP Nansel stated.

The latest incident has heightened anxiety among students living in private accommodation around the university, with many expressing fears over growing insecurity in the area.

A student of the institution, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed that the victims were abducted from the lodge on Saturday evening.

“They are all 100-level students of the university. The issue of kidnapping in this environment has become a thing of great concern.

“We are urging the government to help us out of the situation by deploying enough security personnel around the university because we are now becoming scared to sleep with our two eyes closed,” the student said.

The abduction is the latest in a series of security incidents involving students of the Federal University of Lafia and has renewed calls for stronger protection around off-campus hostels, where many students reside due to limited accommodation on campus.

Parents and students have also voiced concern over the safety of privately owned lodges surrounding the institution, urging authorities to improve surveillance and strengthen security patrols in the university environment.

When contacted, officials in the Information Unit of the Federal University of Lafia said they were not aware of the reported kidnapping. However, they confirmed receiving reports of a separate attack involving a female student.

As of Tuesday, the university management had not issued an official statement on the reported abduction.

Kidnappings for ransom have remained a persistent security challenge across parts of Nigeria, with educational institutions and surrounding communities increasingly affected in recent years.

Security experts have repeatedly called for stronger collaboration between security agencies, local communities and university authorities to improve intelligence gathering and protect students living off campus.

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has assured the public that ongoing operations are focused on securing the safe release of the three students while efforts continue to identify and apprehend all those connected with the crime.