The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the release of the three female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi, who were abducted on February 25, 2025.
The students were kidnapped while returning from a night study session on campus, sparking widespread concern and calls for urgent action.
The Nigerian Television Authority broke the news on Thursday via a post on X, though details surrounding their release remain undisclosed.
It is yet to be confirmed whether their freedom was secured through a rescue operation, negotiations, or ransom payment.
In response to the abduction, the university management swiftly implemented a one-week mid-semester break to reassess and strengthen security measures on campus.
This decision was outlined in an internal memo titled “Security Situation on Campus,” issued a day after the incident and signed by the Registrar, Dr. John David.
The kidnapping prompted widespread outrage, with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, demanding intensified efforts to ensure the students' safe return.
Their calls for action underscored the growing concerns over campus security and the rising trend of student abductions in Nigeria.
While the circumstances of their release remain unclear, the confirmation of their freedom has brought relief to their families, fellow students, and the university community.
However, questions linger about the security situation at the institution and what measures will be put in place to prevent future incidents.
Authorities are expected to provide further details on the students’ condition and the circumstances surrounding their release in the coming days.