According to local media, the students were kidnapped since Monday and held prisoners in the building of the regional department of the Security Bureau of Ukraine (SBU) seized by the separatists in April.
9 Nigerian Students Kidnapped By Ukranian 'Terrorists'... Negotiations On
Nine Nigerian students have been kidnapped by separatists in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine.
A statement by a spokesman for Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Andrey Lysenko, said efforts are on to secure the release of the students.
Speaking at a press conference, Lysenko said negotiations are on to make contact with the abductors whom he called "terrorists".
Lysenko added that Ukraine hoped is hopeful that the talks would end “successfully in the near future.”
But there are fears that the government will find it difficult to rescue the students because Luhansk is deep in the rebel-held territory.
The separatists have been fighting a long war with the Ukrainian government as they seek increased autonomy.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng