Police track coordinates, launch interstate manhunt for kidnapped UI law student, 7 others
The Imo and Anambra State Police Commands have launched an intensive joint security operation following the confirmation that the National General Director of the Scripture Union (SU) Nigeria, Engr. Uwem Cosmos, and a 300-level University of Ibadan Law student, Tomisin Abolarin, were among eight delegates abducted along a volatile border corridor.
The security forces revealed that tracking analysis has successfully generated suspected coordinates of the armed bandits’ hideout, triggering an active tactical manhunt.
Ambushed at the state border
Speaking on the fresh development, the Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed that the high-profile abduction occurred on Sunday, June 14, 2026, along the boundary linking Imo and Anambra states—specifically around the Uli axis.
According to the police, there was an unfortunate delay in communication, as official reports from the church leadership did not reach the command until Monday.
“We have commenced a thorough investigation in synergy with the Anambra State Police Command because this incident happened at the boundary,” Okoye stated.
“We have commenced tracking analysis. We have been able to get suspected coordinates where we believe these suspects are. An intensive operation is ongoing. I strongly believe that with the plans we have on the ground, we will be able to rescue these victims and arrest the perpetrators.”
Tomisin Abolarin missed exams
The scope of the incident became clearer as the University of Ibadan community woke up to the realisation that Ms Tomisin Abolarin—who serves as the National Secretary of the Scripture Union Student Fellowship, Nigeria—had failed to appear for her critical first-semester Law faculty examinations on Monday and Tuesday.
The University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UISU) President, Temidayo Adeboye, clarified that while eight Scripture Union delegates were taken in the General Director’s convoy, Abolarin is the only student from the University of Ibadan directly involved in the tragedy.
Another UI student from the Department of Music who attended the national conference in Okigwe returned via a separate vehicle and arrived safely on campus.
DSS and inter-agency engagement
The University of Ibadan administration, through the Director of Public Relations, Mrs Joke Akinpelu, stated that the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Ademola Lewis, has officially engaged the Department of State Services (DSS) to collaborate on the intelligence front.
While the university noted that the religious trip was organised independently without prior institutional notification, the management is providing full administrative support to the Scripture Union’s national leadership to ensure a tightly coordinated rescue mission.
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