The Plateau State Police Command has announced the abduction of seven students of the University of Jos.
The incident was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer of the state, DSP Alfred Alabo, on Wednesday in Jos.
The police image maker told newsmen that the gunmen abducted the students from their hostel located outside the campus on Monday night.
According to Alabo, the students were reading for their second semester examinations that commenced on Tuesday when their abductors whisked them away.
“It is true that seven students of the University of Jos were abducted by some criminal elements. They were picked up on Monday at about 8:30 pm at their hostel, along Bauchi Ring Road in Jos North Local Government Area.
“The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, has deployed armed police personnel to arrest the kidnappers and ensure the safe release of the abducted students.
“Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and [other] security agencies have also deployed their personnel for search-and-rescue operations,” he said.
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Alabo advised students and residents of the area to remain calm, insisting that security agencies are working assiduously towards ensuring the safe return of the hostages.
In another development, a Nigerian referee was killed by lightning on Tuesday during a friendly football match in Madalla, Niger State.
The deceased, popularly known as Mustafa Coach 02 among football fans and a member of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) met his tragic death during a match played on the field of the community’s schools.
Muhammed Musa, an eyewitness, said the match, in which Madalla and Suleja youths participated, was on a half-time break at 5:20 pm when the tragedy occurred.
According to him, “It was raining, and all the footballers, along with their fans, took refuge inside the school’s classrooms. The referee, along with his assistant (a linesman), rushed back to the field, demanding the players join them.
“They were the only ones at the centre of the pitch when thunder struck. Two of them were rushed to a hospital, where the referee was confirmed dead on arrival while his assistant was revived.”
A family member of the deceased, identified as Ibrahim, said his remains were buried on Wednesday morning in Suleja town, where he lived.