At least five students of Rivers State University (RSU), Emohua Satellite Campus, have been abducted by suspected cultists in the early hours of Tuesday.

The students were reportedly seized at gunpoint from their off-campus residence in Emuoha, Emohua Local Government Area.

The abduction comes after students living off-campus had protested last week over repeated attacks and harassment by cult groups, calling on RSU management to relocate them to the main campus in Port Harcourt for their safety.

During a pre-convocation briefing on Monday, Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi ruled out relocating the students or closing the Emohua campus, assuring that security concerns were being addressed through engagements with community leaders, council authorities, and security agencies.

One student, who narrowly escaped the attack, said the assailants invaded their residence around 2 a.m., killed the security dog, and abducted the victims.

“They were running after me and even shot at me several times. I had to escape and could not look back,” the student recounted. “Someone chased me from the bush, and I had to sprint to the gate. About four of our friends are still missing.”

The incident follows a reported robbery attack in Rumuji last week and occurred just hours after assurances from the Vice Chancellor in Rumuchi/Rumuohia, both in Emohua LGA.

Rivers State Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the abduction, describing the perpetrators as cultists.

“They stormed an isolated area of Rumuchi/Rumuohia early Tuesday, fired shots, and abducted five persons to an unknown location,” she said, adding that a manhunt has been launched.

“The Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical teams to ensure the safe rescue of the students,” she added.