Rivers varsity suspends lectures, evacuates students after abduction

Rivers map

The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has ordered the immediate suspension of lectures at the institution’s satellite campus in Emuoha Local Government Area, following Tuesday’s abduction of five students from their residence.

The VC also directed the immediate evacuation of students from the Emuoha campus until further notice.

Gunmen had invaded an off-campus residence in Rumuchi/Rumuohia, Emuoha, shooting sporadically before abducting five students.

The incident triggered a protest by some students, who marched to the VC’s office to express their displeasure and the distress suffered by their colleagues.

Addressing the protesters, Prof Zeb-Obipi expressed anger over the incident and said the matter would be presented to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is the visitor to the university, for guidance and appropriate action.

He stated that offenders must face consequences, noting that when punishment was not applied, criminals became emboldened.

Prof Zeb-Obipi insisted that those behind the abduction must be found and prosecuted. Punch