Kidnapped Rochester Students Rescued by SWAT Team

Two students from the University of Rochester were rescued by a SWAT team on Sunday night, after being abducted and held for over a day.

USA Today reports that four people were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of 21-year-old college seniors Nicholas Kollias of Northbrook, Illinois, and Ani Okeke-Ewo of Aurora, Illinois.

According to NBC News, Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli said the two abducted students were treated for injures and were recovering in the hospital after the incident on Sunday. The injures were reportedly non-threatening, though one student had been shot in the leg prior to the rescue.

Authorities said Kollias and Okeke-Ewo were reported missing Saturday evening, after last being seen around 2 a.m. that day, traveling together in a 2005 BMW SUV. Investigators discovered the boys had been "forcibly abducted" and were taken to a home four miles from the college campus.

A SWAT team entered the home around 9:20 p.m., rescuing the two captives.

Ciminelli said the abductors likely targeted Kollias and Okeke-Ewo specifically, and no other students were in danger.

"I do want to point out this was a directed event and we have no information or evidence of any kind that this constituted a general threat to the University of Rochester community, nor do we have any information or evidence that there is a threat or safety concern to the University of Rochester community at this point," Ciminelli said.

No further details were given.

The four suspects will likely face kidnapping and assault charges. Authorities also said that more arrests might be made.

The university announced the students' safe return through Facebook.

University of Rochester President Joel Seligman said he spoke with the students and their parents. He was thankful for the quick response of the University and Rochester police, saying, "This could have turned out in a very different way."