Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 100-level female student of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, and shot another person during an attack on an off-campus student residential area in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incidents reportedly occurred at about 8:40 pm on Saturday, heightening concerns over the safety of students residing outside the university campus.
A student, who spoke to journalists in Jos on Sunday on condition of anonymity, confirmed the abduction, explaining that the victim had gone out with another female student when she was seized by the attackers.
“Yes, the student was taken away by the attackers last night, and we have not seen her since then. She lives off-campus, but I don’t know her personally,” the student said.
He expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the area and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted student safely.
A university staff member, who also requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed that the institution had received reports of the incident.
“The university is aware of a reported shooting incident in one of the off-campus student residential areas. This would be the second such incident in four weeks,” he said.
He added: “While the incident did not occur within the university campus, which remains our direct responsibility to secure, we are deeply concerned that any of our students living off-campus should face such threats to their safety.”
The staff member said the administration of Professor Shadrack Best had been working to provide secure on-campus accommodation for students.
“However, due to severe financial constraints, the university is currently only able to accommodate about 1,000 students in its dormitories,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the support of the university’s Visitor and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, alongside the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), for providing essential infrastructure at the institution.
“The university appreciates the support of its Visitor and Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, as well as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, for providing critical infrastructure at the institution,” he said.
“The university will continue to engage relevant authorities to expand both accommodation and security for our nearly 20,000 students,” he added.
Efforts to contact the Plateau State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, for a response were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed.