By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
NIGERIAN LAW School students abducted on July 26 while travelling to the Yola campus have regained their freedom, according to the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
Five students, identified as Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, and Obalem Emmanuel, were passengers in a commercial vehicle operated by AJ Dan Pullo Transport Company based in Onitsha.
They were heading back to campus from their mandatory court externships ahead of lectures scheduled to resume on July 28.
They were kidnapped along the volatile Wukari–Benue axis, a corridor plagued by recurring incidents of armed banditry and kidnappings.
One of the six initially abducted, Obiorah David, had earlier been released before the final operation led to the recovery of the remaining five.
Police confirmed on Friday that the students were found and safely released in the early hours of August 1.
In a statement issued by the Benue State Command’s spokesperson, Edet Udeme, authorities confirmed the successful recovery, stating the students had since been reunited with their families.
The police did not release further operational details regarding the rescue, nor did they comment on reports that the kidnappers had earlier demanded a N100 million ransom from the students’ parents.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property and appreciates the public’s cooperation and support during this period,” Edet stated.
The abduction has sparked renewed concern over the safety of interstate travellers, particularly students returning to school from various parts of the country.
