Identities of kidnapped law students revealed as gunmen demand N20m ransom each

The families of six Nigerian Law School students abducted in Benue State are grappling with fear and uncertainty as their captors have reportedly demanded a ₦20 million ransom per victim.

The students were travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, to resume studies at the Yola campus of the Nigerian Law School in Adamawa State when they were kidnapped by suspected gunmen on Saturday night.

Platinumpost reports that the incident occurred as the students made their way back to campus after completing their court externship break, with the school scheduled to reopen on Monday (today).

READ ALSO:Bandits kidnap 6 law school students while returning from break

One of the abducted students, while briefly answering a call from a classmate, confirmed his abduction and frantically urged for a N20 million ransom to be paid for his release.

Those kidnapped have been identified by fellow classmates as:

Rev. Ernest Okafor

Ogbuka Fabian

Nwamma Philip

Okechukwu Obadiegwu

Obalem Emmanuel

Obiorah David

The abduction has sparked widespread fear and outrage among the student community and legal circles nationwide, especially as this isn’t the first time law students have been victims of abduction.

Sources within the Yola campus  revealed that the abductors have made contact with families and friends of the victims, demanding N20 million for each student.

A classmate, Chisom, shared her shock upon learning of the incident. Initially dismissing the reports as rumors, he attempted to call the victims himself.

After repeated failed attempts, one of the kidnapped students finally answered under duress.

“There was so much noise in the background,” Chisom recalled. “He managed to whisper that he had been kidnapped and asked that we urgently send N20 million to secure his release.”

Another law student based in Bayelsa revealed he had already been informed about the abduction earlier by the wife of one of the victims indicating the students may have been held captive since Thursday.

A student leader at the Yola campus, who spoke under anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, confirmed the matter has been reported to the Adamawa State Police Command.

However, the Police have stated that the abduction did not occur within their jurisdiction.

Spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, Yahaya Suleiman, confirmed the incident but pointed out that it took place in Benue State.

“The abduction did not occur inside Adamawa State,” Suleiman clarified. “I encourage you to reach out to the Benue State Police Command for further information. However, we are working closely with our counterparts in Benue and other security agencies to rescue the victims.”

As of the time of this report, efforts to reach Benue State Police spokesperson, Anene Catherine, have been unsuccessful. Calls and text messages sent to her phone remained unanswered.

This incident echoes a similar case in 2022 when two students of the Nigerian Law School, Agbani campus in Enugu State, were abducted after visiting the Eke Agbani market.

They were taken to an unknown location and held for ransom.

Security experts have raised concerns over the vulnerability of students, especially those undertaking long inter-state journeys in regions known for insecurity.

Legal advocacy groups are already calling for the Federal Government to step in to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.

The Nigerian Law School community and human rights advocates have called on security agencies to act swiftly.

Many have also questioned why safe transportation was not arranged by the school, considering the volatile routes students had to take.

“Enough is enough,” a lecturer at the Yola campus who asked not to be named told this newspaper.

“Our future lawyers cannot continue to be endangered simply because they want to complete their legal training.”

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on security agencies to take urgent and decisive action to bring the students back safely.