There is growing concern over the fate of six Nigerian Law School students who were abducted on Saturday, July 26, while travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, to the Yola campus of the Nigerian Law School in Adamawa State. The victims were reportedly on their way back to campus following a break for their court externship, with academic activities set to resume on Monday, July 28.
The students, identified as Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel, and Obiorah David, were allegedly kidnapped along a volatile stretch of road between Benue and Nasarawa States. A fellow student, Damilare Adenola, confirmed their identities to PUNCH Metro.
A student leader at the Yola campus disclosed that the group was last heard from shortly before they entered the high-risk area. Sources close to the matter revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦20 million per student, but have since increased the demand to ₦50 million each.
A source who overheard a conversation between one of the students and the abductors reported that the kidnappers issued direct threats, warning that the hostages would be killed if their demands were not met. They also cautioned against involving security agencies, claiming they were monitoring all communications.
“They made it clear that if we want them back alive, we must not speak to the authorities or make any moves that could compromise their safety,” the source said.
The Adamawa State Police Command has acknowledged the incident. Speaking to the press on Sunday, spokesperson Yahaya Suleiman said the command is coordinating efforts with the Benue State Police to track and rescue the abducted students. Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
This case adds to the growing number of abductions affecting Nigerian students. In a similar incident in 2022, two students from the Law School’s Agbani campus in Enugu State were kidnapped while shopping at a local market.
The situation remains tense as families, friends, and colleagues of the abducted students await further developments with increasing anxiety.
