Society Gist Editor
Ude Emmanuel
Tension and fear have gripped the families and communities of six Nigerian Law School students who were abducted days ago, as their captors have now issued a chilling ultimatum—pay the ransom or the victims will be killed.
According to multiple sources close to the families, the students, who were traveling along the now-notorious Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, were forcefully taken by unidentified gunmen believed to be operating within the dense forests of the region. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom running into tens of millions of naira, which remains unpaid, prompting the threat to take the victims’ lives.
In an audio recording allegedly sent by the kidnappers and circulated among family members and online, one of the abductors can be heard warning, “We have been patient. If the money does not come, we will start killing them one by one.”
Desperation Mounts for Families
The families of the kidnapped students are now pleading with the government and the public for urgent intervention. Tearful appeals have flooded social media as relatives struggle to raise the demanded ransom, with some turning to crowdfunding efforts out of desperation.
One distraught parent said, “We don’t have this kind of money. The government must step in now. We’re begging, please, don’t let our children be slaughtered.”
The students are said to have been on academic assignments or traveling home when they were seized—highlighting once again the deteriorating security situation across Nigeria’s highways, especially in the North-West.
Calls for Swift Government Action
Amnesty International, several civil society organizations, and prominent lawyers have condemned the incident and urged the federal and state governments to act immediately. Critics argue that the government’s slow response to abductions is emboldening criminals and deepening public distrust.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a statement calling the development “horrific” and has demanded swift and decisive action from security agencies.
“The NBA stands with the families of the abducted students. We will not remain silent while our future lawyers are slaughtered like animals. We demand their immediate and unconditional release,” the statement read.
The Larger Security Crisis
This incident is not isolated. The Abuja-Kaduna road has become a hotbed for kidnappings, with travelers, students, and even government workers frequently falling victim to armed groups. Despite repeated assurances from authorities, the region remains volatile, and rescue efforts are often slow and ineffective.
Security analysts warn that without a comprehensive strategy combining military force, intelligence gathering, and community engagement, the kidnappings will continue to rise. They argue that Nigeria’s future professionals—students, doctors, and civil servants—are increasingly becoming easy prey.
With the clock ticking and six young lives hanging in the balance, the nation is once again confronted with the ugly reality of insecurity. For the families of the abducted law school students, each passing hour feels like a death sentence unless help arrives.
This is not just about ransom—it’s about the state’s ability to protect its citizens, uphold the rule of law, and assure young Nigerians that their dreams can still be pursued without fear of violence and death. The question now is: Will the authorities act before it’s too late?
