Plateau: Abducted varsity student freed as gunmen kill 18-year-old vigilante member

From Jude Owuamanam, Jos

A first-year female student of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, Favour Ayuba, who was abducted by gunmen in the university community, has regained her freedom.

Ayuba was abducted on Saturday night at an off-campus student residential area in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, while another person was shot and injured during the incident.

Ayuba was reportedly abducted when she went out with another female student of the university.

Her release came with the killing of an 18-year-old member of a vigilance group, Divine Dung Davou, in Rachas Village, Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Divine, who was a vigilante member of the community, was killed at about 12:23 a.m. during a midnight attack by an armed group.

Confirming the release of the student, the Acting Public Relations Officer of PLASU, Masara Kim, said she was recovered after she was abandoned by her abductors.

“She was abandoned by her captors after the university, in collaboration with a joint security team, launched an operation that forced them to flee on sighting the advancing team,” Kim said.

Kim further explained that the student was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical examination, adding that the university was working with security agencies to ensure the safety of students and staff within and around the institution.

However, BYM said the death of Divine had plunged his family and community into mourning and heightened concerns over the safety of rural residents.

BYM, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, called on the Plateau State Police Command and other security agencies to urgently investigate the killing, apprehend the perpetrators and strengthen security patrols and intelligence gathering.

The association also asked security agencies to activate rapid response mechanisms in vulnerable communities.

The statement said: “We also urge the Plateau State and Federal Governments to move beyond routine assurances and implement concrete, sustained measures to protect lives and property, particularly in communities repeatedly exposed to attacks.”

While extending condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Rachas community, BYM appealed for urgent action to prevent further loss of lives.