Kidnapped Students — Latest updates, what to do now, and how to help
Every time we hear about kidnapped students it hits hard. Families panic, schools shut down, and social media explodes with claims and rumours. If you care about a missing student, speed and clear action matter more than reposting unchecked posts. Here’s a practical guide you can use right away and keep coming back to for updates.
Immediate steps if a student is missing or kidnapped
Call the police first. Use the emergency number for your country and ask for the unit that handles kidnappings or missing persons. Next, tell the school or university administration. They often have contact lists, CCTV footage, or transport logs that help investigators.
Keep records. Save texts, screenshots, call logs, pick-up/drop-off times, and photos of what the student was wearing. Those details speed up searches and help law enforcement spot patterns. Don’t alter evidence — hand it to the police or a trusted lawyer.
Avoid sharing sensitive images or unverified claims on social media. That can ruin investigations, endanger the student, or attract scammers. Instead, share only official police notices or statements from the school and trusted news outlets like Africa Daily Dispatch.
How to verify reports and avoid scams
Check three sources before acting on a report: the police, the student’s school, and a reputable news site. If a crowdfunding or “rescue” page appears, confirm it’s run by the family or a verified organisation. Scammers often exploit emergencies for donations.
Look for official channels: police press releases, hospital bulletins, or statements from the school board. If a post lacks details like dates, locations, or official contacts — be cautious. Report suspicious posts to the platform and to local authorities.
Prevention matters. Schools and parents should review transport routes, use tracking where possible, limit predictable routines, and run drills for safe pick-up. Encourage students to travel in groups, avoid isolated routes at night, and keep emergency contacts saved and visible.
Want to help a family? Offer concrete support: help with errands, childcare, or contacting authorities. If you donate, do it through verified accounts only. Join or support local NGOs that work on safe returns and legal aid, but check their credentials first.
How we cover these stories: we verify police and school statements, speak to families when they agree, and avoid posting raw videos that could harm an investigation. Follow the "kidnapped students" tag on Africa Daily Dispatch for verified updates, background reporting, and guides on safety and legal steps.
Keeping students safe starts with simple actions: fast reporting, careful sharing, and practical support. If you see something suspicious, call the authorities — not just to comment online. Your call could be the lead that brings someone home.
Kogi University Honors Slain Students with Three-Day Mourning Period
Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Kogi State has declared a 3-day mourning period to honor two first-year students who were kidnapped and subsequently killed. The students were among 21 abducted while preparing for their exams. Efforts by security forces and community hunters were only partially successful, and the university community is deeply mourning the loss.