6 Nigerian law school students abducted by gunmen en route to Yola campus

In a disturbing development, at least six Nigerian Law School students have been abducted by suspected bandits while travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, to the Yola campus in Adamawa State.

According to Punch newspaper, the incident occurred late on Saturday, July 26, as the students were making their way back to school following the conclusion of their court externship break. The Yola campus is scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 28.

Sources revealed that the students were intercepted by armed men along a yet-to-be-identified stretch of road and taken into captivity. The exact location of the abduction and the identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed.

Confirming the development, Damilare Adenola, a fellow student at the Yola campus, said “Six students of the Nigerian Law School have been reportedly kidnapped by suspected armed bandits while travelling to resume school after their court externship break.”

He identified some of the abducted students as Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel, and Obiorah David.

According to reports, the abduction is believed to have taken place along a stretch of road between Wukari in Taraba State and a part of Benue State—an area notorious for insecurity and recurrent attacks on commuters.

Speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the incident, a student leader at the Yola campus disclosed that authorities have been alerted.

“We are currently in Yola. We have contacted the Adamawa Police Command. We are just waiting for more updates from them. We haven’t got any concrete information yet,” the student leader stated.

When reached for comment on Sunday, Yahaya Suleiman, spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, confirmed that the command had been briefed but noted the crime did not occur within Adamawa’s borders.

“The abduction did not occur inside Adamawa State. I would encourage you to contact the Benue State Police Command for more details,” Suleiman said.

He assured the public that law enforcement agencies in both states were collaborating to ensure the safe release of the students.

“We cooperate not only with the police in other states but also with other sister agencies to ensure that those coming into Adamawa are safe, without harassment or intimidation.The command is collaborating with officers and men of the Benue State Police Command to ensure these students are rescued,” he added.