Taraba University Students Released After Abduction

Two students of the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, who were abducted two weeks ago, have been released from captivity, according to Mrs. Ashu Agbu, the Head of the Information and Protocol Unit of the institution. The students, Joshua Sardauna from the Economics Department and Obianu Elizabeth of the Microbiology Department had been kidnapped near the campus.

Agbu shared the news of their freedom in a WhatsApp message to journalists on Friday. However, she did not provide details regarding the circumstances of their release. The students had been held captive after being abducted from a shop close to the school premises.

The abductors had previously demanded a ransom of N50 million for the students’ release. The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 3, as the students returned to the campus to re-sit their examinations after facing academic challenges in the previous session. Gunmen, suspected to be armed Fulani herdsmen, had invaded the university premises and abducted the students while they were at a food vendor shop on campus.

Mr. Sule Gani, the Chief Security Officer of the university, confirmed the incident, noting that the gunmen had specifically targeted the two students who were attempting to address academic issues. The release of the students brings relief to the university community, although questions remain regarding the circumstances surrounding their abduction and eventual release.