By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Following the abduction of four female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State, authorities of the university have ordered the immediate closure of the institution for one week.
A statement from the institution signed by the Registrar, Dr. John David, said the decision to close down the university, whose Vice Chancellor is Professor Isaac Itodo, was arrived at after consultations with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
The contrived mid-semester break, according to the university management, was a clear demonstration of solidarity with students and parents affected by the abduction.
The management also announced the indefinite postponement of an Inaugural Lecture at the university scheduled to hold on Wednesday.
The statement appealed to the public to remain calm as security agencies were working tirelessly to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
A source in the university community disclosed that of the four abducted students, one managed to escape later.
The students were abducted by gunmen, sources said, between 8.30pm-9pm on Tuesday, February 25, within the campus as they headed for night studies in one of the university’s facilities.
The development sparked protests by students who matched round the institution clutching tree branches and demanding immediate response by the university authorities, raising concerns of possible hijack by hoodlums from outside the environment.
