Nigerian authorities are actively working to rescue 20 medical students who were abducted in the eastern region of the country, officials have confirmed.
The students were kidnapped on Thursday evening in Benue State while traveling to an annual medical convention, according to sources from the police and universities.
The Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students reported that the group was heading to Enugu for the convention when they were seized.
Fortune Olaye, the secretary-general of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, revealed that the abducted group included 20 students from two universities and a doctor who was accompanying them.
Authorities have reported that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom in exchange for their release.
In a letter addressed to the inspector general of police, which was shared on the social media platform X, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) expressed deep concern for the safety of the students, with NMA secretary-general Benjamin Egbo identifying that 12 of the students are from the University of Jos and eight from the University of Maiduguri.
One of the kidnapped students managed to send a location, indicating they were in the Oglewu Ehaje area of Benue State, as mentioned in the letter.
The NMA stressed the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate and effective action to bring the students back safely.
The kidnapping was confirmed by Catherine Anene, the public relations officer for the police in Benue State.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia stated that he had directed security agencies in the state to ramp up their efforts to ensure the safe release of the students.
A statement from the national police announced the deployment of advanced helicopters, drones, and specialized tactical vehicles to aid in the search and secure the victims’ return.
Reports indicate that the students were traveling in a convoy of two buses from the northern part of the country when the incident occurred.
The abduction took place on a road near the town of Otukpo, less than 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Enugu, an area known for frequent attacks and kidnappings.
The rise in kidnapping cases in Nigeria has been notably influenced by a severe economic downturn, which is driving more people toward criminal activities. Many cases remain unreported, leading to unreliable official statistics.
Despite a 2022 law banning ransom payments to kidnappers, families often feel they have no choice but to meet the demands to ensure their loved ones’ safety.
According to SBM Intelligence, there were 4,777 recorded kidnapping incidents between May 2023, when Bola Tinubu became president, and January 2024.
