Kidnappers who abducted female students from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JoSTUM) are demanding a ransom of ₦40 million for their release.
The students were taken on Tuesday night at around 8:30 PM while they were on their way to a lecture hall to study. The sudden attack has left the university community in shock, with students and staff expressing deep concerns over security on campus.
Following the abduction, students staged protests, calling for the immediate rescue of their kidnapped colleagues. In response, the university management decided to shut down the institution for one week to address security issues.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), JoSTUM branch, has strongly condemned the incident, calling for the unconditional release of the students. They also urged authorities to take urgent action to prevent further attacks on campuses.
Sources say the kidnappers have started reaching out to the victims’ families, insisting on a ₦40 million ransom. A close friend of one of the abducted students, who spoke anonymously, shared the distressing situation, saying:
“The kidnappers have started calling the families, demanding ₦40 million and threatening to harm the girls if the money is not paid quickly.”
“We are deeply worried because none of the parents can afford even half of the amount they are asking for.”
