Rivers State University Suspends Lectures After Gunmen Abduct Five Students
December 4, 2025
News
The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has warned that the security threat confronting the institution may spill over into the wider community if those responsible for the recent abduction of five students are not swiftly apprehended.
The warning comes after gunmen stormed an off-campus hostel and kidnapped five students, an incident that prompted fear, protests, and an emergency review of campus safety protocols.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi, in a video address, said the university management had held internal discussions on the issue and would formally engage relevant authorities, noting that student safety had become the administration’s top priority.
Referring to upcoming meetings with stakeholders, he said:
“Having our conversations on Friday and Saturday, we are very sure this issue will be raised and discussed. We are expecting the visitor, and I can assure you there is no way he will see what is happening and not consider your safety. Our priority must be securing our students.”
The Vice Chancellor announced a temporary suspension of lectures and urged students in vulnerable locations to relocate if they can do so safely.
“That should be our focus,” he said. “Let’s not dissipate energy. If you have information, share it. Those who can pull out now should pull out because there will be no lecture.”
He added that the institution would continue working closely with government officials, who he said had already activated measures to address students’ concerns.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi also said efforts were underway to ensure the safe return of any students who may still be in high-risk areas. He vowed that those behind the abductions would be pursued and brought to justice.
“We are concentrating efforts to get our students back safely. Those who engage in this evil must be caught. We will pursue them until we get them,” he stated.
The VC stressed that failure to address the incident promptly could create openings for further criminal activity, warning that the entire surrounding community could be endangered if the perpetrators are not stopped.
“If this is not checked, those who carried out this action will be encouraged,” he said. “The tendency is a motivation to do more. We will ensure those who perpetrated this evil are caught and brought to book.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that armed men invaded an off-campus lodge in Rumuchi/Rumuohia, Emuoha, firing shots before abducting five students. The attack triggered protests as students marched to the VC’s office to express outrage and demand immediate action.
This is the second protest in recent times by students of the university’s Emuoha campus over criminal attacks and harassment in the area.
Rivers State University currently operates four satellite campuses — Emuoha, Etche, Ahoada, and Sakpenwa — established during the previous administration of former governor Nyesom Wike.