Benue varsity shut as gunmen abduct four female students

The management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, has suspended academic activities following the abduction of three female engineering students late Tuesday night on the university campus.

PUNCH Metro gathered from exclusive interviews with some students of the institution on Wednesday that the students were abducted while returning from a night study session within the university premises.

While some students claimed that four students were kidnapped, the university management, in a circular obtained by our correspondent, disclosed that three students were abducted.

A 500-level student of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Tsar Christopher, told our correspondent that the abductors emerged from a nearby bush and kidnapped the students.

Christopher said, “On February 25, at approximately 9:30 pm, four 100-level students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University were kidnapped while heading to study at the Aper Aku Auditorium.

“The incident occurred on the road linking the hostels and the College of Agriculture, Extension, and Communication. The kidnappers emerged from the bushes and took the students away. The victims are believed to be female students.”

Another student of the institution, Ashar Lubem, also claimed that four students were kidnapped by the gunmen, stressing that the incident had left students in a state of panic.

Lubem said, “Some gunmen kidnapped four students outside campus yesterday evening. We have yet to hear from them at the moment.

“Everyone is in a panic because of the incident.”

Meanwhile, the university management, in a circular signed by the Registrar, Dr John David, announced a one-week semester break in solidarity with the student community.

The Registrar also instructed students to vacate their hostels by 4 pm on Wednesday.

The circular, titled, “Security Situation on Campus”, read, “Following the unfortunate incident that occurred on campus on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at about 8:00 pm, where unknown armed men abducted three students between Zamfara Hostel and Ring Road in North Core, the University Management, after a series of consultative meetings with security agencies and stakeholders, has resolved as follows:

“That the university management condemns the incident in its entirety; that the government and security agencies have been duly informed of the unfortunate incident; that all staff, students, and the general public are enjoined to remain calm as security agencies are working tirelessly to secure the release of the abducted students; that the inaugural lecture scheduled for today (February 26, 2025) is postponed indefinitely; and that the university management, in solidarity with the students and parents of the abducted students, has granted a one-week mid-semester break to all students to adequately address the security challenges on campus.

“Consequently, all students are to vacate their hostels before 4:00 pm today, Wednesday, February 26, 2025.”

However, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Wednesday, noting that an investigation had begun.

She, however, stated that the police had only received a report of two students being kidnapped.

“We received information yesterday evening that two students were kidnapped. We have commenced an investigation, and further details will be provided soon,” Anene said.

In response to the incident, the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government, Joseph Keffi, directed the deployment of security operatives to the university to enhance security.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Teran Aondona, Keffi also urged the university management to enforce the mandatory use of student identification cards.

The statement read, “The Executive Chairman of Makurdi Local Government, Joseph Keffi, after interfacing with the Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University following the alleged kidnapping of students on campus, has directed the immediate deployment of security personnel to the university premises.

“The Chairman gave the directive today at the University Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge, stressing that security patrols on the campus have been intensified.

“Hon. Keffi also urged the university management to enforce the mandatory use of student identification cards, stating that this would help in identifying non-students and potential perpetrators on campus.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Academic Union of Universities, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University chapter, Comrade Paul  Anyagh, has raised the alarm about the safety of his members on campus.

In the statement on Wednesday, Anyagh said the abduction of the three students had shown the porous security nature of the university.

He said, “With what has happened, the union is not sure that its members will be safe on campus given that this incident is one too many.

“In the past, a member of our union was kidnapped at the university staff quarters. Although he was later released, it went to show the porous security nature of our campus.

“Also, we have had cases of kidnap of students in the past on our campus, and given this circumstance, the union is no longer sure of the security of her members for the discharge of their legitimate duties.”

PUNCH Metro reported on August 20 that more than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer were kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State.

The students were travelling to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5.30 pm in the Otukpo area of the state.