The management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has ordered the closure of the institution following the abduction of three students by unidentified gunmen.
An internal memo signed by the Registrar, Dr. John David, on Wednesday announced the decision, citing security concerns on campus.
The incident reportedly took place around 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday between Zamfara Hostel and Ring Road in the university’s North Core area. The institution condemned the attack, stating that security agencies and the government had been notified.
In response, the university postponed an inaugural lecture scheduled for Wednesday and directed students to vacate their hostels immediately. The memo stated, “The university management, in solidarity with the students and parents of the abducted students, has granted a one-week mid-semester break to all students to adequately address the security challenges on campus.”
“All students are to vacate their hostels before 4:00 p.m. today, February 26, 2025,” the memo added.
A senior university official, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that the kidnapped students were on their way to a reading spot when they were taken.
“They were going to read that night when they were kidnapped between their hostels and the reading point at North Core,” the source said.
The abduction sparked protests on campus, with students marching and demanding urgent action to secure the release of their colleagues.
Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident but stated that only two students had been reported kidnapped.
“We received information that two students were kidnapped by unknown gunmen. An investigation is ongoing,” Anene said.
