The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a massive search and rescue operation to secure the release of six students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, who were abducted by armed gunmen in the early hours of Thursday. The incident, which took place in the Gudi area of Akwanga Local Government Area, has sparked widespread concern across the academic community and the state at large.
In an official statement released on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Rahman Nansel, confirmed that unidentified armed hoodlums invaded a students’ off-campus lodge at Anguwar Ninzo, Gudi, on the outskirts of the town. The attack occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, when the gunmen stormed the residential area, forced their way into the lodge, and abducted the victims at gunpoint.
The six victims have been identified as students of the Faculty of Engineering at the university's Gudi Campus. Reports indicate that a seventh person, described as a visitor who was at the lodge during the invasion, was also taken by the abductors. Following the incident, the victims were reportedly led away into the nearby forest as the attackers escaped before security operatives could arrive on the scene.
The Commissioner of Police for Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Mohammed, has visited the site of the abduction for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. During his visit, the commissioner held meetings with student representatives and community leaders to reassure them of the command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe return of the students. He noted that the police would not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice and the captives are reunited with their families.
As part of a strategic response to the crisis, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Area Commander in Akwanga to help coordinate the field operations. A formidable combined security team has been activated, comprising personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. This joint task force is further supported by local vigilante groups and various tactical units who are currently combing the surrounding bushes and hills to track the movement of the kidnappers.
SP Nansel emphasized that the primary goal of the operation is to rescue the victims unhurt while ensuring that the criminal network responsible for the attack is dismantled. The command has also appealed to the residents of Gudi, Akwanga, and the wider public to remain calm and vigilant. The police have urged anyone with useful information regarding suspicious movements or the whereabouts of the victims to contact the nearest police station or security agency immediately.
The abduction comes at a time when security in educational corridors has been a priority for state authorities, following previous threats to student safety in the region. The Nasarawa State University community has remained on high alert, with university management reportedly working closely with the police to provide support to the affected families and ensure the security of other off-campus housing facilities. Further updates on the rescue mission are expected as the tactical teams continue their pursuit into the hinterlands.
Given the recent history of student abductions in the region, do you think that increasing the permanent presence of tactical security units near off-campus student clusters, such as those in Gudi and Keffi, is a more sustainable solution than reactive rescue operations?
