THREE STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR (UNICAL) HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED IN CALABAR, THE CAPITAL OF CROSS RIVER STATE.

A trio of scholars hailing from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have fallen victim to abduction within Calabar, the esteemed capital of Cross River State.
Information sourced from within the institution identifies the kidnapped individuals as Ojang Precious Ebejin, a second-year student in the esteemed Department of Medicine and Surgery; Ugwu Chukwuemeka, a third-year scholar within the distinguished Department of Genetics and Biotechnology; and Damilola Dickson, a final-year pupil within the same esteemed department.
These students were allegedly forcibly taken from their respective residential quarters last week, precipitating apprehensions regarding their safety and welfare.
Although specific details regarding the precise location of their abduction remain undisclosed by law enforcement authorities, SP Irene Ugbe, the police spokesperson in the region, has confirmed that the department, in collaboration with other security entities, is actively engaged in efforts to secure the safe release of the three scholars.
The unsettling event of students being seized in Calabar exacerbates the escalating security dilemmas confronting educational establishments and localities across Nigeria.
Analysis:
The abduction of the UNICAL scholars serves as a stark reminder of the susceptibility of students to criminal exploits, particularly within areas where security mechanisms may be either insufficient or ineffective.
This occurrence underscores the imperative for fortified security measures and preemptive stratagems aimed at shielding students and educational institutions from potential security perils.
Authorities must accord paramount importance to the security and welfare of students by fortifying security protocols, heightening surveillance, and fostering improved cooperation between law enforcement agencies and academic entities.
Moreover, there exists an urgent necessity for comprehensive security overhauls at both regional and national echelons to redress the underlying causes of insecurity and preclude subsequent occurrences of abduction and violence directed at students.
Engagement with the community and collaborative efforts between stakeholders, encompassing governmental functionaries, security bodies, educational institutions, and local denizens, are indispensable in addressing the fundamental issues contributing to insecurity and reinstating public trust in the security of students and communities.