By Miracle Ogunde
Four female students from the Joseph Saawuaan Tarka Federal University Makurdi, formally known as Federal University of Agriculture, have been kidnapped by gunmen.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Benue State Command, CSP Sewuese Anene, in a telephone conversation with Channels TV, noted that investigation and rescue efforts have begun.
Sources around the university said that four female students were allegedly abducted by gunmen yet to be identified.
“Four female students were kidnapped at the university premises at about 8:30pm, causing panic about students’ safety as the sounding area share boundaries with communities which have been affected by suspected herdsmen attacks.
“Some of the students here have been identified simply as, Emmanuella Oraka, who was dressed in just a wrapper dress, Fola in yellow top, Susan in flower top and Ella in black top,” the police PRO said.
A senior staff member in the school, who preferred to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak, confirmed the incident.
The source said the students were going to read that night when they were kidnapped between their hostels and the reading point at North Core area of the school campus.
Meanwhile, the news of their kidnap immediately sparked wild protests from the students who matched round the school with tree branches in their hands demanding immediate action from the school authorities.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Itodo, is yet to respond to any inquiry with little information on what is being done to assure the students of their safety and restore public confidence.
Although, personnel from the military Operation Whirl Stroke have been deployed to the area as the Makurdi Local Government chairman and other state officials are seen to be working with security forces to gain control of the threats.
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