The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised alarm over the rising wave of student abductions in the country, urging the Federal Government to take urgent action to address the growing security threat on university campuses. The student body has also called on security agencies to expedite efforts to rescue the three female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, who were abducted on February 25 by suspected kidnappers.
The three engineering students were reportedly taken while returning from a night study session on the university campus. A witness disclosed that the kidnappers emerged from a nearby bush and abducted the students, sending shockwaves through the university community.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NANS Vice President for Inter-Campus Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of kidnappings on both campuses and off-campus areas. She emphasized that what was once considered a secure environment for students has now become a dangerous territory for kidnappers.
Akinbodunse highlighted the psychological and physical trauma the abduction would have on the students, their families, and the wider academic community. She warned that if students living on campus are vulnerable to such attacks, those living off-campus would undoubtedly be living in constant fear and uncertainty.
“NANS is alarmed at the rate at which students are being abducted on campuses of tertiary institutions in the country. This is not only worrisome but an ugly trend that needs to be arrested before it spirals out of control,” Akinbodunse said.
She called for the management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, to not only suspend academic activities but also strengthen security on the campus, particularly during night study sessions. NANS also expressed frustration over the slow pace of the rescue efforts, warning that the failure to swiftly recover the abducted students and apprehend the perpetrators would embolden criminals to carry out similar acts in the future.
The student body condemned the kidnapping as a heinous act and demanded the safe return of the students. They urged both the Federal Government, the Benue State Government, and security agencies to do everything in their power to ensure the students’ safe release.
While commending the university’s decision to suspend academic activities, NANS called on the management to take further measures, such as beefing up security within and around the campus, to prevent future incidents.
“As the umbrella body of Nigerian students, NANS is closely monitoring the situation. If the abducted students are not rescued in a timely manner, we will not hesitate to organize protests across the country,” Akinbodunse added.
The recent abduction has once again spotlighted the urgent need for improved security measures in Nigerian universities to protect students from growing threats both on and off campus.
