How Terrorists Allegedly Planned Mass Kidnapping of KWASU Students Before Emergency Relocation

KWASU urgently relocated students and staff from its Ilesha-Baruba campus to Malete amid fears of an alleged terrorist plot to carry out a mass kidnapping, despite official claims that the move was only a precautionary security and convocation-related measure.

Fear of a planned mass kidnapping allegedly forced Kwara State University (KWASU) authorities to abruptly relocate students and staff from the Ilesha-Baruba campus back to the main Malete campus, barely weeks after academic activities resumed.

According to reports gathered by Legit.ng, rising security concerns linked to suspected terrorist movements in nearby communities triggered panic among students and residents, prompting the emergency decision. The relocation came as a shock, especially since the Kwara State government had earlier assured students that security had improved in the area, leading to the reopening of the campus.

Students and community members revealed that disturbing information began circulating shortly after resumption, warning of a possible coordinated attack targeting students. One student, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, said excitement over resumption quickly turned into fear as reports of a planned mass abduction spread across the campus.

“We were told everywhere was safe, so we returned. But soon after, we started hearing that terrorists were planning to kidnap many students at once. Panic took over,” the student said.

Another student described the sudden evacuation as confirmation that the security situation was far from resolved. According to him, many students hurriedly packed their belongings and left in fear, with some unable to wait until morning before vacating the campus.

Community sources also confirmed that residents noticed suspicious movements around bushes and nearby settlements, raising alarm that students could become easy targets due to their large population.

In response to the growing concerns, KWASU management issued a statement announcing the temporary relocation of students and staff to the Malete campus. The statement, signed by the Acting Director of University Relations, Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, described the move as a precautionary security measure.

The university noted that its extended management team had recently visited the Ilesha-Baruba campus and observed a calm environment, adding that the relocation was also influenced by preparations for the institution’s 13th convocation ceremony and the approaching mid-semester break.

Despite these assurances, many students remain unconvinced, insisting that the relocation was driven primarily by intelligence about an alleged terrorist plot.

“They may call it a precaution, but we know what we heard. Our lives matter, and nobody wants to be the next victim of mass kidnapping,” a student said.

As of the time of reporting, no official statement has been issued by security agencies regarding the alleged plot. However, students and parents continue to urge the government to guarantee lasting security before any future resumption at the Ilesha-Baruba campus.

In a related development, a Nigerian man recently warned on social media that extremist groups may be expanding their operations beyond Kwara State, following a deadly church attack in the region. He suggested that several other states could be at risk, sparking debate online over the growing security challenges and the need for stronger preventive measures.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEGIT