Six students of the Nigerian Law School have been abducted by gunmen suspected to be bandits along the Wukari-Benue border axis in Benue State. The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, July 26, as the students were en route to the Yola Campus of the institution in Adamawa State.
According to NewsPointNigeria, the students were travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, after completing their mandatory court externship programme. The Yola campus is scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 28.
The Wukari-Benue road, known for persistent cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, and bandit attacks, has again drawn national attention with this latest abduction.
A fellow student, Damilare Adenola, confirmed the incident and voiced deep concern for the safety of his colleagues.
“Six students of the Nigerian Law School have reportedly been kidnapped by suspected armed bandits while travelling to resume school after their court externship break,” he said.
The abducted students were identified as:
Rev. Ernest Okafor
Ogbuka Fabian
Nwamma Philip
Okechukwu Obadiegwu
Obalem Emmanuel
Obiorah David
A student union leader at the Yola campus, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, also confirmed the abduction and said it had been reported to the appropriate authorities.
“We are all in shock here in Yola. We’ve contacted the Adamawa State Police Command, but they said the incident happened outside their jurisdiction. We are anxiously waiting and praying for more updates,” the student leader said.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Adamawa State Police Command, SP Yahaya Suleiman, confirmed the reports but clarified that the abduction occurred outside the state’s borders.
“The abduction did not happen within Adamawa territory. We’ve traced the location to an area near Benue,” Suleiman said.
He added that law enforcement agencies across state lines were collaborating to secure the victims’ safe return.
“We are in constant communication with the Benue State Police Command and other relevant security agencies. The safety of all travelers into or out of Adamawa is a top priority,” he emphasized.
As of press time, attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Anene Catherine, were unsuccessful. Multiple calls and messages to her phone line went unanswered, leaving families and friends of the abducted students in growing distress.
Similarly, efforts to obtain an official response from the Nigeria Police Force have so far been unfruitful. Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, did not respond to inquiries via calls or messages, including those sent to his WhatsApp account.
The silence from security authorities has deepened concern over the safety and whereabouts of the abducted students.
