Five Rivers State University students from Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, who were abducted on Tuesday at the institution’s satellite campus in Emuoha Local Government Area, have been released.
The incident generated concern among students on campus, prompting a demonstration in which they sought relocation to the main campus.
While addressing the demonstrators on Tuesday, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, announced the temporary shutdown of academic activity at the Emuoha campus and instructed students to evacuate their dorms in the meanwhile.
Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed the development on Thursday, saying all five abducted students were retrieved unharmed following an operation carried out at Rumuodogo 2 by Police Tactical Teams and other security agencies.
In a statement, Iringe-Koko said the undergraduates, including one female, had been transferred to the hospital for medical evaluation, and that efforts to catch the fleeing kidnappers were stepped up.
The statement reads, “Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public that on 04/12/2025 at about 0100 hrs, the five abducted victims—Prince London ‘M’, Azubuike Kelechukwu ‘M’, Elizabeth Aniete ‘F’, Onyebuchi Precious ‘M’, and London Sampson ‘M’, who were abducted by yet-to-be-identified cultists from their isolated residences—have been successfully rescued unhurt.
“The rescue operation was conducted at Rumudogo 2 Community in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State by the Command’s Tactical Teams, in collaboration with other sister security agencies and with the support of the community.
“The rescued victims have been taken to the hospital for medical examination. Intensive efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing cultists/abductors.”
She also disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, had vowed that the command would not rest until all those responsible were arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“He also urges continued collaboration from sister security agencies, the community, and the general public, while assuring residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear because their safety is our priority,” the statement added.
