Abducted Makurdi varsity students regain freedom

The three female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JoSTUM), formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), have regained their freedom after spending eight harrowing days in captivity.  

The students, Susan, Emmanuella, and Fola, were abducted on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, by unidentified armed men while on their way to a lecture hall to study.

Their abduction sparked widespread outrage among students and the university’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), JoSTUM branch, who demanded their immediate release.

The incident also forced the management of the institution to shut the University indefinitely pending the resolution of the security challenges in the school.

It was gathered that the students were released at about 9pm Wednesday night after spending over a week in captivity.

A close family friend of one of the students who confirmed their release disclosed that the girls were immediately taken for medical check up and rehabilitation.

She said, “I can confirm that the three girls have been released. They regained their freedom at about 9pm Wednesday and they have been moved to a medical facility for proper medical check up and rehabilitation because their captors took them far into the forest and they should be given proper medical attention because they are also traumatised.”

Meanwhile efforts to get a confirmation from the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene were unsuccessful.