NEWS- The Nigerian Police and other security agencies are working to secure the release of 20 medical students who were kidnapped in the Eastern part of the country while on their way to an annual convention when they were abducted in Benue State last week.
The Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students said in a statement that the students were travelling to the convention in the City of Enugu when they were taken.
The Secretary-General of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, Fortune Olaye said that 20 medical students from two Universities, as well as one doctor travelling with them had been kidnapped and remain in the hands of the kidnappers who demanded a ransom demand in return for their release.
The Nigerian Medical Association Secretary-General Benjamin Egbo has since written to the Inspector General of Police saying that 12 of the abducted students were from the University of Jos and 8 were from the University of Maiduguri.
Benjamin Egbo inducated that one of the abducted students has managed to share their location, indicating that they were in the Oglewu Ehaje area in Benue State.
The Nigerian Medical Association Secretary General said that they are now deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of these future medical professionals and added saying that swift and decisive action should e taken by the Police to secure the students return which is crucial.
The Police Public Relations officer in Benue State, Ms Catherine Anene, has also confirmed the kidnapping and Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia also issued a statement saying that he had directed security agencies in the state to intensify efforts and ensure the safe release of the students.
Ms Anene revealed that the National Police had ordered the deployment of advanced helicopters and drones, as well as the use of specialized tactical vehicles to facilitate the search and secure the safe return of the victims.
The kidnapped students were reportedly travelling from the northern part of the country in a convoy of two buses when the incident occurred near the Town of Otukpo, which is about 150km from Enugu City, which often witnesses attacks and kidnappings.
Cases of kidnapping have increased significantly in Nigeria due to a severe economic crisis which is pushing more people towards crime, however, official figures are unreliable as many cases are not reported.
It should be remembered that in 2022, a law was passed banning payments of ransom to kidnappers, but many families said that they feel they have no choice but to cough up the money demanded.
Nigerian Intelligence Consultancy Firm SBM Intelligence, said it had recorded 4,777 cases of kidnappings between May 2023, when current President Bola Tinubu assumed charge as President of Nigeria and January 2024.
Additional Reporting by Associated Press
