Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Gunmen have abducted three students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) in Nasarawa State after attacking their off-campus lodge, marking the second such incident targeting students of the institution in less than three weeks. The latest abduction occurred on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at about 8:45 p.m. at Sure Leaders Lodge in the Bukan Kwato area of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital. The victims are 100-level students of the university. As of Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the police had yet to issue an official statement on this specific incident, and the university management had not released any formal communication, though sources in the institution's Information Unit confirmed they were aware of an attack on a female student.
The abduction has heightened concerns among students, parents, and the broader university community over the safety of off-campus hostels in Lafia, particularly those located in isolated and bushy areas that have become targets for criminal gangs. A student who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons confirmed the details of the attack to journalists. The Students' Union Government of the university issued a public safety notice on Sunday, July 26, confirming the development and stating that it had begun engaging traditional authorities and university management over the incident. The union urged students to remain calm, stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary movements especially at odd hours, and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
This latest incident comes on the heels of a similar abduction that occurred on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at about 9:20 p.m., when gunmen invaded Living Seed Lodge, an off-campus hostel located in a bushy area on the outskirts of the students' residential community in Lafia. In that attack, three students were also abducted. The Nasarawa State Police Command received a distress call from the university's Chief Security Officer reporting the incident. Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams, patrol operatives, and other security personnel to the scene.
The police operatives swiftly mobilised and launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation within the surrounding forest. Their prompt response led to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students. However, as of the time of this report, two students from that attack remain in captivity. The police spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the July 7 abduction in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 8, and assured the public that efforts had been intensified to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and to arrest the perpetrators. The commissioner directed all operational and intelligence assets of the command to sustain the ongoing operation until the remaining victims were rescued unharmed.
The recurring attacks have renewed concerns over the safety of students living in private hostels around the university, particularly in communities bordering bushy areas where criminal gangs have previously operated. The latest abduction also comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of Nasarawa State, where security agencies have continued operations against kidnapping syndicates, armed gangs, and illegal arms traffickers. In recent months, police and military authorities have announced several arrests of suspected kidnappers and the rescue of abducted victims across the state. Despite those operations, isolated attacks have continued along major highways and within some rural and semi-urban communities.
Students and residents have repeatedly called for increased security patrols around off-campus hostels and vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks. The university community is now on edge as two abducted students from the July 7 incident remain unaccounted for, while the fate of the three students taken on July 25 hangs in the balance. The police have urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and continue to support security forces by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations. Members of the public are also advised to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police station. As the search continues, the hope for the safe return of all five students remains a priority for both the university and the security agencies involved.
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