TheCable

Three students have been abducted from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), in Benue state during an attack on Saturday.

TheCable understands the students were taken hostage by gunmen who invaded the school premises.

The police, which had not been reachable, has confirmed that the attackers kidnapped the students at gunpoint.

In a statement on Monday, Catherine Anene, the police spokesperson in the state, said: “Information was received from the school authority that on April 24, at about 10.20 p.m. some unknown men kidnapped three students who were studying.

“We received that information and we are on it. I know that we are very close. We will continue to do our best to ensure that we get to the root of this crime.”

Rosemary Waku, a university spokesperson, also confirmed the incident via a statement.

“The University has reported the incident to the police and all relevant security agencies. The University has not heard anything from the students or their captors since the unfortunate incidence took place,” she added.

The school management has suspended lectures while assuring students of their safety.

The attack comes less than a week after some students of Green Field University in Kaduna state were abducted in a similar attack.

Three of those that were taken hostage were later found dead.

Benue, like most other states in the north, have been witnessing increasing attacks by gunmen suspected to be bandits.

The latest incident makes it the sixth attack on schools in the country in 2021, three of which were in Kaduna state.

The security situation is also deteriorating in southern parts of the country where security agents are increasingly becoming targets.