At least 19 people were abducted yesterday in separate attacks carried out by armed groups in Rivers and Imo states.
In Rivers State, gunmen believed to be cultists stormed an off-campus residence used by students of the Rivers State University (RSU) Emohua Satellite Campus and abducted five students at gunpoint.
The attackers reportedly invaded the building around 2 a.m., shooting sporadically and killing the compound’s security dog before forcing the victims into the bush.
A student who escaped said he was chased and shot at repeatedly as he ran toward the gate. He confirmed that several colleagues could not flee and were taken by the armed men.
Just last week, students living off-campus had protested rising insecurity and appealed to school authorities to relocate them to the university’s main campus in Port Harcourt. However, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, insisted on Monday that the school would not shut the Emohua campus, saying security agencies and community stakeholders were already engaged on safety measures.
Rivers State police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the abduction, describing the suspects as cultists. She said the Commissioner of Police had deployed tactical teams to track the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.
Gunmen Hijack Bus, Kidnap 14 Passengers in Imo
In a separate incident in Imo State, suspected herdsmen hijacked an Aba-bound commercial bus on Monday evening, abducting 14 passengers along the Ngor Okpala axis.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers emerged from the bush, fired shots into the air, and took control of the vehicle, forcing all passengers into the surrounding forest. The attack triggered panic as other motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled in different directions.
The Ngor Okpala area has witnessed repeated assaults. In May 2025, about 18 passengers were kidnapped in a similar incident. Weeks later, more than 20 others were abducted, and two people were killed during an attack on the same route.
The Imo State Police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the command had not yet received an official report of the latest incident but confirmed that patrol teams had been deployed for investigation.
Reps Call for Arrest of Killers of Bauchi Policemen
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged the federal government to apprehend the armed men who killed five police officers on November 29, 2025, in Sabon Sara, Bauchi State.
The officers—DSP Ahmad Muhammad, ASP Mustapha Muhammad, Inspector Amarhel Yunusa, Inspector Idris Ahmed, and Corporal Isah Muazu—were ambushed during a security operation. Two others sustained gunshot injuries.
Presenting the motion, Mansur Soro said intelligence linked the attack to an armed group resisting the arrest of a dethroned local leader. He warned that the families of the slain officers were now facing severe hardship.
The House called for immediate humanitarian support, the fast-tracking of statutory benefits, and full medical care for injured officers. Lawmakers also directed the Committee on National Security and Police Affairs to ensure compliance.
