Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a first-year female student of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, while another person was shot and injured during an attack on an off-campus student residential area in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incidents occurred at about 8.40 pm on Saturday, heightening concerns about the safety of students living outside the university campus.

A student, who spoke to journalists in Jos on Sunday on condition of anonymity, confirmed the abduction, saying the victim had gone out with another female student when she was seized by the attackers.

“Yes, the student was taken away by the attackers last night, and we have not seen her since then. She lives off campus, but I don’t know her personally,” the student said.

He lamented the growing insecurity in the area and appealed to security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted student.

A member of the university community, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the institution was aware of the incident.

“The university is aware of a reported shooting incident in one of the off-campus student residential areas. This would be the second such incident in four weeks,” he said.

“While the incident did not occur within the university campus, which remains our direct responsibility to secure, we are deeply concerned that any of our students living off campus should face such threats to their safety,” he added.

“The administration of Prof. Shadrack Best has made concerted efforts to provide safe and secure on-campus accommodation for all students.

“However, due to severe financial constraints, the university is currently able to accommodate only about 1,000 students in its halls of residence,” he said.

The staff member said the university appreciated the support of its Visitor and Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, as well as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), for providing critical infrastructure.

“The university will continue to engage relevant authorities to expand both accommodation and security for our nearly 20,000 students,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command’s public relations officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.