The management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the successful rescue of the university’s Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Samuel Okunsebor, less than 48 hours after he was abducted by armed men in Nasarawa State.
Professor Okunsebor was kidnapped at about midnight on Wednesday at Mile Uku, a boundary community between Lafia and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas, after gunmen reportedly stormed the area and whisked him away to an unknown destination. According to security sources, DSS operatives launched an intelligence-led operation that culminated in his rescue at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday. He was rescued unharmed.
Following the operation, the DSS formally handed the senior academic over to his family members in the presence of university officials, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kitso Ngbargu. He was immediately taken to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital for medical evaluation after spending nearly two days in captivity.
Reacting to the development, the university management expressed profound appreciation to the DSS for what it described as a swift, professional and intelligence-driven operation that ensured the safe return of one of its top academic officers.
A senior university official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the institution was “greatly indebted to the DSS for working round the clock to ensure the timely rescue of our amiable Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture.”
The official also disclosed that the DSS had arrested two suspects—a man and a woman—in connection with the abduction.
“We understand that the DSS have in their custody two of the persons behind the kidnap of our dear Professor. Given how the DSS has been meticulously prosecuting suspects in courts, we have little doubt that both suspects will soon have their day in court,” the official said.
Security sources said investigations are continuing to unravel the full kidnapping network, determine the roles of the arrested suspects and track down other members of the criminal syndicate believed to have participated in the operation.
The successful rescue has been widely welcomed within the university community and by residents of Nasarawa State, with many describing it as a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and violent crime in the state. Observers have particularly praised the intelligence-led approach adopted by the DSS, noting that the operation was completed without harm to the victim.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Nasarawa State, where security agencies have recently intensified operations against kidnapping syndicates following several abduction cases involving students and residents. Authorities have repeatedly assured the public of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.
University officials expressed optimism that the ongoing investigation would lead to further arrests and successful prosecution of all those connected with the crime, while reaffirming confidence in the DSS and other security agencies to sustain efforts aimed at protecting lives and property.