Gunmen strike at Rivers Varsity Off-campus Hostel, Kidnap five Students in Night raid
By Paul Ebi
Panic swept through the student community of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, after armed men suspected to be members of a cult group stormed a private off-campus lodge in the early hours of Tuesday and abducted five students.
The attackers reportedly invaded the Emuoha Local Government Area residence around 2 a.m., firing repeatedly into the air before dragging their victims away.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the operation bore the “full markings of a cult attack.”
According to her, “They were abducted by cultists. In the early hours of Tuesday, a group of cultists numbering five stormed an isolated area of Rumuchi/Rumuohia, shot and abducted five persons to an unknown destination
“We have put efforts in place for their safe rescue. As I speak, the Commissioner of Police has gone there with tactical teams to ensure they regain their freedom.”
‘They killed our security dog’ — Student who escaped recounts horror
A female student who narrowly escaped the attack said chaos erupted when the gunmen invaded the compound, killing the hostel’s security dog before gaining access.
She told reporters she initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks until she realised the lodge had come under attack.
“He was running after me and even shot at me. I don’t know how many times,” she recalled, still shaken. “I couldn’t even look back because I was more focused on escaping.
“So the person just stopped and went back to my compound. Then someone from the bush came out and ran after me. I had to run faster to the gate of the person who was supposed to open it for me. Some of our students, about four or so, are missing now.”
Students in the area have since been thrown into fear, with many relocating temporarily while others appealed for increased security presence around off-campus hostels.
Police say investigations are ongoing, and tactical units are actively combing the area in search of the abducted students.
