By Godstime Simon
Five undergraduates of Rivers State University were abducted by suspected cultists in the off-campus area of Emuoha Local Government on Tuesday morning.
According to the Rivers State Police Command, two suspects have been arrested, while three others fled their hideout following the shooting and kidnapping incident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the abduction came just days after students from the Emuoha satellite campus staged a protest at the university’s main campus in Nkpolu Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt.
The students had raised concerns over repeated attacks in the area and demanded relocation to the main campus for safety.
Responding to the protest on Monday, Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Zeb Obipi ruled out shutting down the Emuoha campus or relocating students.
He assured that the university was engaging community leaders and security agencies to strengthen safety measures.
Barely a day later, armed men stormed the isolated area, fired shots, damaged property, and abducted five students.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, stating: “Yes, I can confirm the incident. In the early hours of Tuesday, a group of cultists numbering five stormed an isolated area of Rumuchi/Rumuohia, shot, and abducted five persons to an unknown destination.”
She added that tactical teams have been deployed to secure the release of the victims.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, urged collective efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students.
