The abduction of four students of the Rivers State University (RSU) in the early hours of Tuesday December 2, 2025 has sparked outrage in the state, with students, host community members and others stakeholders calling for immediate return of the kidnapped students.
The four students were abducted unknown gunmen, who reportedly stormed their hostel at the institution’s extended campus in Rumuohia Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Eyewitness account said the gunmen arrived in the early hours of Tuesday, fired multiple gunshots before breaking into the hostel, killing a security dog on the premises, and whisking the students away to an unknown destination.
The abducted students have been identified as Sampson Chimenum (400-Level Psychology), Precious Onyebuchi (400-Level Political Science), Azubuike Kenechukwu (400-Level Psychology) and Prince Sampson.
A student who escaped the attack said the incident happened around 2 a.m. She said the attackers were armed, shot and killed a security dog and opened fire as she crawled out of her room to escape.
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“He was running after me, so he shot at me. I don’t know how many times. I couldn’t really look back at who was chasing me. I was more focused on escaping.
“So I was running, and the person just stopped. He turned back, went back to my compound. So I was running, and then someone from the bush came out from there and ran after me. I didn’t know what to do. I had to run faster and reach the gate of the person who was supposed to wait for me,” she said.
Meanwhile, students of the Emohua Campus have staged a protest, urging the school authorities, state government and relevant agencies to ensure immediate return of the abducted students.
Mariam Odungweru Onyiyenda, another student of the university lamented that those at the Emohua campus have faced repeated cases of rape, robbery, and other criminal attacks in recent times.
Isaac Zeb-Obipi, professor and Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University however assured that the school’s management is working with relevant authorities to secure the safe release of the abducted students.
He directed that all academic activities at the Emohua campus be suspended pending security reviews and further directives.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of students of the Rivers State University, Emohua Campus by unknown gunmen, suspected to be cultists.
Grace Iringe-Koko, Public Relations Officer of the command, in a statement in Port Harcourt said, “On 2nd December 2025 at about 0230hrs, a group of suspected cultists, numbering about five, attacked an isolated area in Rumuche/Rumuohia Community, Emohua Local Government Area. The hoodlums shot and abducted five persons to an unknown destination.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Rivers State Command, Olugbenga Adepoju and other service commanders of the State visited the scene of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment,” she said.
Iringe-Koko added that CP Adepoju has mandated the Area Commander alongside all tactical units, and Joint Taskforce to intensify efforts, ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims, and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The CP assured that all suspects involved in the crime will be brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and continue to support the Police with credible information that will aid the ongoing investigations,” she said.
