A disturbing case of abduction has rocked the Nigerian Law School community, as six students were reportedly kidnapped by suspected armed bandits while travelling to resume academic activities at the institution’s Yola Campus in Adamawa State.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of Saturday, July 26, took place along the volatile Wukari-Benue border axis—a stretch of highway infamous for its persistent insecurity, including kidnappings, armed robberies, and sporadic assaults by criminal elements.
According to NewsPointNigeria, the students were travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, having just concluded their mandatory court externship programme. They were en route to Yola in preparation for the reopening of the campus, which is scheduled for Monday, July 28.
The abducted students have been identified as: Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel, and Obiorah David.
The news of the abduction was confirmed by a fellow student, Damilare Adenola, who expressed deep worry about the safety of his peers.
“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 stated.
A student union leader at the Yola campus, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, disclosed that the school community is in shock and that relevant authorities have been notified of the development.
“We’ve been in contact with the Adamawa State Police Command, but they’ve informed us that the incident took place outside their jurisdiction. We are waiting and praying for more concrete updates,” the student said.
Confirming the situation, the spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, SP Yahaya Suleiman, stated that preliminary findings indicate that the abduction occurred beyond the state’s borders. “The incident did not happen within Adamawa territory. The location has been traced to an area near Benue,” he explained.
Suleiman added that cross-border efforts are being made to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
“We are in constant communication with the Benue State Police Command and other relevant security agencies. The safety of individuals travelling into or out of Adamawa is a top priority for us,” he affirmed.
However, attempts to reach the Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Anene Catherine, have so far proven futile.
Multiple phone calls and text messages to her line went unanswered, leaving families and friends of the abducted students increasingly anxious and in the dark about any progress.
Meanwhile, the silence from the national headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force has further heightened concerns. Repeated inquiries regarding rescue efforts on the Taraba-Benue axis have gone unanswered.
When contacted for comment, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, did not respond as of the time of filing this report. Messages sent to his WhatsApp line were also ignored.
As pressure mounts on security agencies to act swiftly, the fate of the six law students remains uncertain, deepening fears over rising insecurity on Nigeria’s highways and the vulnerability of citizens—even those engaged in professional education.