The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three students from the Enugu State College of Health Technology in the Oji-River local government area, News About Nigeria reports.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, sparking concern and tension within the college and its surrounding areas, leading to many students vacating the premises.
According to reports, gunmen, believed to be kidnappers, invaded the students’ halls of residence around 7 pm, abducting three students without resistance.
In a statement released on Saturday night, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the abduction but clarified that two of the abducted students had been rescued while three others remain missing.
Ndukwe dismissed a viral video claiming that a large number of students were kidnapped, describing it as “mischief and misinformation aimed at misleading and creating panic among unsuspecting citizens.”
“Contrary to the spurious narrative in the viral video, in the evening hours of August 15, 2024, police operatives at the Oji-River Division of the Command received information alleging an act of abduction around the said college,” the statement read.
“They immediately hastened to the scene, rescuing two of the victims allegedly abducted, while three others are yet to be found. Vigorous operations are ongoing to locate and rescue them, as well as apprehend the abductors.”
The command further revealed that the preliminary investigation indicated that the victims were driving out of the college when they were targeted.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered an intensified search and rescue operation for the missing students and the apprehension of those responsible.
He also cautioned against the spread of misleading social media narratives that could create unnecessary panic and hinder police operations.
