The abductors of the female students from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM), have demanded N40 million as ransom for their release, according to a source close to the victims.
The students were kidnapped on Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. while heading to a lecture hall on campus. Their abduction triggered protests from fellow students, prompting the university management to shut the institution for a week to address security concerns.
A friend of one of the victims revealed that the kidnappers had threatened harm if the ransom was not paid swiftly. “None of the parents can raise even half of the money they are asking,” the source said, appealing for authorities to intervene.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), JoSTUM branch, has condemned the abduction, calling for the students’ immediate and unconditional release.
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) also condemned the incident. In a statement, Country Director Andrew Mamedu expressed concerns over the rising spate of student kidnappings, highlighting that such incidents undermine the right to education and threaten national development.
Mamedu criticized the federal government for failing to fulfill past promises to secure educational institutions, referencing President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2021 pledge to end attacks on schools. He urged security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and called for improved school security measures, including intelligence gathering and community-led initiatives.
“The abduction of students is not just an attack on individuals—it is a direct assault on the future of Nigeria,” Mamedu said, urging swift action to ensure the safe return of the students and prevent further occurrences.
