The Rivers State Police Command has exhumed the decomposing remains of three students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) who were reportedly kidnapped and gruesomely murdered by suspected abductors.
The victims, whose identities have been withheld pending formal notification of their families, were declared missing several weeks ago. Following intensive investigations, law enforcement agents were led to a shallow grave in a remote area on the outskirts of the city, where the bodies were discovered in the early hours of Tuesday.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Okoro, who confirmed the incident in a press briefing, described the discovery as “deeply disturbing and heartbreaking,” vowing to ensure that justice is served.
“Our operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a location believed to be used by a notorious kidnapping syndicate. Sadly, we recovered the bodies of three young students who had been missing. This is a tragic outcome, and we extend our condolences to their families,” Okoro said.
He added that four suspects are currently in custody in connection with the case and that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
Sources within the university community revealed that the students had been last seen heading off campus for an off-site academic project before they were reportedly abducted. The news of their death has sparked outrage and mourning within the UNIPORT campus and across social media platforms.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Georgewill Owunari, expressed shock over the incident and urged security agencies to intensify efforts in combating rising insecurity affecting students in the region.
“This is a painful loss not only to their families but to the entire academic community. These were young lives with promising futures, cut short by senseless violence,” Prof. Owunari stated.
As investigations continue, authorities are calling on the public to assist with any information that may aid in bringing all perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has condemned the killings and pledged to support security agencies in ensuring the safety of students and citizens in the state.
