Panic has gripped students of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, after gunmen suspected to be cultists stormed a private off-campus lodge in Emuoha Local Government Area and abducted five students during a midnight attack.
The attack occurred around 2 am on Tuesday when the assailants shot repeatedly into the air, killed the hostel’s guard dog, and broke into the building, forcibly taking their victims to an unknown destination.
Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, describing it as a “cult-driven abduction.”
According to her, “They were abducted by cultists. In the early hours of Tuesday, a group of cultists numbering about five stormed an isolated area of Rumuchi/Rumuohia, shot sporadically and abducted five persons to an unknown destination.”
Iringe-Koko added that the Commissioner of Police had already deployed tactical teams to the area.
“We have put adequate efforts in place to ensure their safe rescue. As I speak, the Commissioner of Police is on ground with tactical units to make sure they regain their freedom,” she assured.
A female student who narrowly escaped the kidnappers’ bullets said she initially thought the gunshots were fireworks until chaos broke out.
“I heard gunshots but I didn’t take it seriously at first,” she said, trembling as she recalled the ordeal.
“Then I heard people shouting. Before I knew what was happening, the gunmen entered the compound after killing our security dog.”
She said she attempted to flee but the attackers shot at her several times.
“They were running after me. One of them fired at me—I don’t even know how many times. I just kept running. When one of them stopped chasing me, another came out from the bush and continued the pursuit.”
The student said several of her lodge-mates were taken.
“Some of our students, about four or so, are missing now. We are all scared. Nobody slept till morning,” she added.
The police say investigations have begun and search operations are ongoing in nearby communities believed to be hideouts of cult groups active in Emuoha axis.
The abduction has heightened fears among RSU students, many of whom live off-campus due to accommodation shortages within the university.
Authorities are yet to confirm whether the kidnappers have established contact with the victims’ families.
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