On Wednesday, unidentified gunmen attacked an off-campus lodge at Gandu near the Federal University Lafia (FULafia), kidnapping an unknown number of students. In response to the increasing incidents of kidnapping, FULafia students took to the streets on Thursday, brandishing placards with messages like ‘Students Lives Matter’ and ‘A cry for one is a cry for all.’ They demanded the immediate release of the abducted students and an end to the persistent insecurity in the university environment.
Expressing frustration with ongoing threats to their safety, the protesters emphasized that they have reached a breaking point and can no longer tolerate the prevailing security challenges. Josephine, one of the demonstrators, voiced concerns about the lack of action from state government officials, accusing them of indifference because the affected students are not related to them.
The protesters also recalled an invitation by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, to the governor, which yielded no significant changes. Josephine pleaded for the return of the kidnapped students, expressing fear that the criminals might escalate their activities to school hostels.
Another student, Osanga Jacob, accused the Nigeria Police of complicity, alleging their involvement in the kidnapping cases. Jacob claimed that police intervention during their peaceful protest indicated their connection to the crimes.
To address rising concerns, officers of the Nigeria Police were deployed to the university to restore order. The Gandu community, in close proximity to FULafia’s permanent site, accommodates hundreds of students and staff members. The students vowed to persist in their demand for improved security and the safe return of their kidnapped peers.
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