Gunmen have abducted a 100-level female student of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, following an attack on Saturday evening.
Another person was reportedly shot and injured during the incident in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. on October 31, 2026, according to reports published on Monday.
The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of students living in residential areas outside the university campus.
A student of the institution confirmed the abduction to journalists on Sunday, requesting anonymity.
The student said the victim had gone out with another female student when the attackers seized her.
He added that the abducted student had not returned, prompting calls for security agencies to intervene.
The victim’s identity and whereabouts had not been publicly established in the reports available at publication time.
University Confirms Security Concerns
A staff member of Plateau State University confirmed that management had received reports of a shooting in an off-campus residential area.
The staff member spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the incident.
He described the incident as the second reported shooting involving the student residential area within four weeks.
Although the latest attack occurred outside the university grounds, management expressed concern about students’ safety.
The staff member said the university remained committed to improving security and providing safer accommodation for its students.
He explained that the institution had made efforts to expand on-campus accommodation under Vice-Chancellor Professor Shadrack Best.
However, financial constraints have limited the university’s current accommodation capacity.
According to the staff member, the university’s halls of residence can accommodate approximately 1,000 students.
The institution has a student population approaching 20,000, leaving many students dependent on off-campus accommodation.
Management said it would continue engaging relevant authorities to expand accommodation and improve security arrangements.
Police Yet to Provide a Detailed Public Response about the Gunmen
Reports published on Monday said efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful.
Consequently, the reports did not include a detailed police account of the abduction and shooting.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, the identities of the gunmen, and their motives remain unclear.
There was also no confirmed public information in the reports about the abducted student’s rescue or the arrest of suspects.
Security agencies are expected to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The safe return of the abducted student remains a major concern for the university community.
Fresh Concerns Over Students’ Safety in Bokkos
The latest incident has renewed concerns about the security of students living outside university campuses.
Students who cannot secure on-campus accommodation may have to live in nearby communities, potentially exposing them to risks beyond university-controlled areas.
The reported shooting by gunmen also raises questions about security arrangements around student residential neighbourhoods.
University management has acknowledged the challenges and indicated that additional accommodation and security measures are necessary.
However, addressing the situation may require coordinated efforts involving the university, police, state authorities, and community leaders.
Residents and students are also likely to expect a stronger security presence around vulnerable residential areas.
Calls for Urgent Action
The abduction has intensified calls for security agencies to locate the student and ensure her safe return.
Authorities also need to investigate the shooting and identify those responsible.
A transparent investigation would help establish the facts and determine whether the incidents are connected to previous attacks.
Meanwhile, the university’s accommodation shortage highlights a broader challenge facing students who live outside campus security arrangements.
For now, the victim’s whereabouts remain unconfirmed in the reports reviewed for this article.
This Dawn News will update this report when the police, university management, or other credible sources provide further verified information.
