Gunmen Abduct 5 Rivers University Students, 14 Bus Passengers in Imo

At least 19 people, including five students of Rivers State University (RSU) and 14 commercial bus passengers in Imo State, were kidnapped by gunmen yesterday in two separate attacks across the South-East and South-South.

The incidents unfolded as the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to urgently identify and prosecute those behind last week’s killing of five police officers in a Bauchi community.

Meanwhile, following Monday night’s resignation of Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, President Bola Tinubu yesterday nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as his replacement and held a meeting with security chiefs over the worsening security situation.

Rivers: Cultists seize five RSU students

In Rivers State, gunmen believed to be members of a cult gang abducted at least five RSU students from an off-campus residence in Emuoha, Emohua Local Government Area.

The attackers reportedly invaded the building around 2 a.m., shooting dead a security dog before seizing the students at gunpoint. Students living off campus had protested last week over rising harassment by suspected cultists, calling on RSU management to relocate them to the main campus in Port Harcourt.

However, during a pre-convocation briefing on Monday, RSU Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi ruled out shutting the Emohua campus or relocating students, saying the institution was engaging community leaders, local councils and security agencies to address the threats.

A student who escaped the abduction told reporters that the gunmen chased him into the night.

“He was running after me and even shot at me, I don’t know how many times. I couldn’t look back because I was focused on escaping. Someone from the bush then ran after me. I had to run faster to the gate. Some of our students, about four or so, are missing now,’’ he said.

The attack came just days after an alleged robbery in nearby Rumuji, occurring shortly after the vice chancellor’s assurances.

Rivers police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the kidnapping and identified the perpetrators as cultists.

“They were abducted by cultists. In the early hours of Tuesday (yesterday), a group of cultists numbering five stormed an isolated area of Rumuchi/Rumuohia, shot sporadically and abducted five persons to an unknown destination,” she said.

She added that police tactical teams had launched a manhunt and were working to secure the victims’ release. Attempts to get comments from state officials were unsuccessful.

Imo: Herdsmen-linked gunmen hijack bus, kidnap 14 passengers

In Imo State, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen hijacked an Aba-bound commercial bus carrying 14 passengers on Monday evening near Ngor Okpala.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers emerged from the bush, fired shots into the air and took control of the fully loaded vehicle travelling from Owerri to Aba.

“They came out of the bush and started shooting; and then kidnapped passengers in a fully loaded bus. Many passengers ran out of their vehicles, some ran into the bush, others ran back; the situation was terrifying,” a source said.

The area has witnessed repeated incidents: in May 2025, about 18 passengers were kidnapped in a similar attack, followed weeks later by another incident in which more than 20 passengers were abducted and two people killed.

Imo police spokesperson Henry Okoye said the incident had not yet been formally reported, but confirmed that tactical units had been deployed for “robust fact-finding patrols” along the Owerri–Aba Expressway.

Reps demand arrest of killers of five Bauchi policemen

In a related development, the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to immediately apprehend the gunmen who ambushed and killed five police officers on November 29, 2025, in Sabon Sara, Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State.

The slain officers were DSP Ahmad Muhammad, ASP Mustapha Muhammad, Inspector Amarhel Yunusa, Inspector Idris Ahmed, and Corporal Isah Muazu. Two others—Inspector Isah Musa and Inspector Yusuf Gambo—were injured.

Leading the motion, constituency representative Mansur Soro said the officers were attacked while on lawful duty.

“The House is disturbed that credible intelligence linking the attack to an armed group resisting the arrest of dethroned hamlet head of Sabon Sara village, whose actions pose a continued threat to security and community stability, has not been acted upon,” he said.

Soro praised Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed for maintaining security in the state over the past six years and for his swift reaction to the Sabon Sara killings. He also warned that the families of the deceased officers now faced serious hardship.

“The House is worried that the families of the deceased and injured officers now face severe emotional and economic hardship and require immediate attention,” he said.

He stressed the need for strong institutional support: “Demonstrating institutional support for officers killed or injured in the line of duty is essential for sustaining the morale and operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.”

Following a voice vote, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Police Trust Fund, and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide immediate palliatives, financial support, and educational assistance for the children of the dead officers.

The lawmakers also requested the Inspector-General of Police to expedite statutory entitlements and insurance payments, and ensure full medical treatment for the injured. The Committee on National Security and Police Affairs was mandated to follow up with relevant security agencies.

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