KEY POINTS

• Six Nasarawa State University students were abducted after gunmen attacked an off-campus lodge in Gudi, Akwanga LGA.
• Police confirmed the incident and launched a joint rescue operation involving multiple security agencies.
• The attack has raised fresh concerns over insecurity around student communities and off-campus housing.

Fear and tension have spread across Nasarawa State after armed gunmen abducted six students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi following an attack on a student lodge in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area.

The victims, believed to be students of the university’s Faculty of Engineering, were kidnapped during a late-night invasion of their off-campus residence on Tuesday, May 6, 2026.

The incident reportedly occurred around 9 p.m. at Anguwar Ninzo in Gudi, a community located on the outskirts of Keffi.

Residents and students were thrown into panic as the attackers stormed the lodge and forcefully took the students to an unknown destination.

Police Confirm Abduction, Launch Rescue Operation

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the incident on Thursday, saying security agencies had intensified efforts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Nasarawa State, SP Rahman Nansel, six of the abducted persons have been identified as students of the university, while another victim was reportedly a visitor who happened to be at the lodge during the attack.

Nansel explained that armed men invaded the students’ residence before fleeing with the victims, adding that security operatives immediately began coordinated rescue operations after the attack was reported.

Following the abduction, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, visited the affected area to assess the situation and reassure residents and students of ongoing rescue efforts.

The police commissioner reportedly ordered the redeployment of the Area Commander in Akwanga to oversee tactical operations and coordinate efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted students.

Authorities said a joint security operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and other tactical teams had been launched across surrounding forests and suspected hideouts.