NY college students abducted, held hostage

A SWAT team effectively rescued Kollias, of Aurora, and Okeke-Ewo, of Northbrook, at a home at 22 Harvest Street in Rochester, New York, around 9:20 p.m. Sunday, according to NBC 5 affiliate WHEC.

Two college students were rescued by a SWAT team after being “forcibly abducted and held against their will” during an ordeal lasting more than a day, officials said.

Ani Okeke Ewo and Nicholas Kollias were last seen near the University of Rochester campus early Saturday morning.

Both seniors, from IL had been forcibly abducted and held against their will, authorities said. Both are now recovering at a hospital. One of the students was shot prior to the rescue, the chief said. His injury is non- life. “The police investigation into their disappearance will continue, but the great news is that they were situated this evening by the Rochester Police Department”.

University of Rochester President Joel Seligman said he was grateful the students had been found safe. “This could have turned out in a very different way”.

Police Chief Michael Ciminelli says there is no indication that the abduction constituted a general threat to the UofR community.

The four suspects will likely face kidnapping and assault charges, Ciminelli said, adding Ewo and Kollias were targeted by the suspects, and other arrests may follow.