Tragedy has struck Nigeria’s legal education community as six students of the Nigerian Law School, Yola campus, were abducted on Saturday, July 26, 2025, along the notorious Wukari-Benue highway.
Blueprint reports that the Wukari-Benue corridor remains a flagged danger zone due to its history of violent crimes and unresolved cases of abduction.
The victims were reportedly en route to campus following their mandatory court externships, in preparation for academic activities slated to resume on Monday, July 28.
The students – Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel, and Obiorah David were passengers in a commercial vehicle operated by AJ Dan Pullo Transport Company, based in Onitsha, Anambra state, Blueprint reports.
It was gathered that the abduction occurred in the late hours of Saturday in a region infamous for armed banditry and frequent kidnappings.
A fellow student of the Yola campus, identified as Johnson, confirmed that the abductors have contacted the families of the victims.
The kidnappers are reportedly demanding a ransom of ₦20 million for the students’ release, sparking urgent discussions and concern across the country.
The Police authorities have not yet released an official statement, raising concerns about the immediacy of rescue efforts.
This latest incident calls the urgent need for intensified security operations along Nigeria’s vulnerable highways, especially for students and travelers in high-risk areas.
Families of the abducted persons and institutions are holding out hope for the safe return of the abducted students as negotiations continue.