A 300-level law student of the University of Ibadan, identified simply as Tomisin, and seven other individuals have reportedly been abducted by suspected kidnappers while returning from a fellowship conference.
The incident has sparked concern among students, parents, and members of the academic community, adding to growing worries over insecurity on major highways and travel routes across the country.
According to reports, the victims were travelling back from a religious fellowship conference when their vehicle was intercepted by armed assailants. The attackers allegedly forced the occupants into captivity and subsequently moved them to an unknown location.
Sources familiar with the incident said the abducted individuals included students and other conference participants who were returning to their respective destinations after attending the event. Details surrounding the exact location and circumstances of the abduction remain unclear as authorities continue investigations.
The reported kidnapping has generated anxiety within the University of Ibadan community, particularly among students of the Faculty of Law, where Tomisin is said to be enrolled. Fellow students and concerned members of the public have taken to social media to express solidarity with the victims and call for urgent intervention by security agencies.
Family members and associates of the abductees are said to be awaiting further information regarding their whereabouts and safety, while efforts are reportedly underway to secure their release.
Although security agencies have yet to provide comprehensive details on the incident, authorities are expected to launch a coordinated search and rescue operation aimed at locating the victims and apprehending those responsible.
The abduction underscores the persistent security challenges facing travellers in several parts of Nigeria, where cases of kidnapping for ransom and attacks on commuters have remained a major concern despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat criminal activities.
In recent years, students, religious groups, and other travellers have increasingly become targets of kidnappers operating along highways and remote routes. Security experts have repeatedly called for enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering, and stronger security presence on major roads to curb the menace.
The incident has also renewed calls for improved protection of students and young people travelling for academic, religious, and social engagements across the country.
As investigations continue, members of the university community, religious organizations, and concerned citizens have appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abductees unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The condition and whereabouts of Tomisin and the seven other victims remain unknown at the time of filing this report. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and provide any useful information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.
The latest abduction serves as another reminder of the security challenges confronting the nation and the urgent need for sustained measures to ensure the safety of citizens travelling across Nigeria’s highways.
