In a brazen act of violence, suspected bandits struck Gandu community near the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), unleashing terror in two separate incidents and leaving residents and students in fear.
Eyewitnesses reported that the first attack occurred on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm when a large group of heavily armed men stormed the community, firing shots to create panic.
Despite a prompt response from security personnel, the bandits managed to escape into the nearby bush.
The respite was short-lived as the same group reappeared at 2:00 AM on Thursday, targeting a conference hotel opposite the Nasarawa Housing Estate. Five students were forcefully abducted from the premises.
Undeterred, the bandits then proceeded to Gandu, a student community opposite the university’s permanent site.
Firing gunshots, they abducted five more individuals, causing injuries to several others.
The reign of terror persisted for nearly three hours before the bandits withdrew.
FULafia’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, confirmed the incident, expressing difficulty in specifying the exact number of abducted students.
He stated, “It is too early to ascertain the exact number of students because those affected are not living within the school premises but off campus.
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“Right now, we can confirm the abduction of between three and five students,” Mr. Ibrahim added. “While their exact number is still under investigation, the university is taking steps to ensure all students reside within the campus for heightened security.”
In response to the incessant attacks, students staged a peaceful protest, demanding an immediate end to the persistent kidnappings. It was revealed that over 15 students have been abducted this semester alone.
A victim of a previous attack shared his harrowing experience, stating, “We were five, including a woman. The bandits beat us, threatened us, and forced us to walk and run through the night.
“They demanded N500,000 from my family, and after receiving it, they released me. I don’t know what happened to the others who couldn’t afford the ransom”.