20 abducted medical students in Benue rescued

The 20 medical students from the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri who were abducted in Benue State last week have been successfully freed, the Benue State Police Command confirmed last night.

The rescue operation was a collaborative effort involving the military, police, and the Department of State Security (DSS). The coordination of the operation was overseen by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Spokesperson for the police command, Catherine Anene, in an SMS at11:15 yesterday simply said: “Kidnap victims released. Details will be released tomorrow (today) morning please.”

The students were seized penultimate Thursday on the Otukpo-Enugu Highway in Benue State while they were on their way to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu.

About 48 hours after their abduction, one of the victims Aondona Kingsley, managed to get words across on his X to the outside world on their ordeal.

He said they were denied food during their first two days in captivity and were under threat of torture and death by the kidnappers who demanded a ransom of N50 million.

He said: “We were kidnapped on our way to Enugu for a convention @Nigerian_Doctor. They are requesting for 50 million for 20 of us medical students. Please help us and we haven’t eaten for two days 08163420157 –Pius that is who we are gathering the money with.”

In a separate message, he said: “They said they would start killing us tomorrow.”

Among the captives were Boniface Tizhe, Thomas Yahaya, Gabriel Jita Iwev, Boniface Okon, Dondo Fabian, John Bitrus Naga, Fortune Chima Umeh, Godwin Gregory Tumba, Monica Ejembi and Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka.

Others are Paul Nyampa Zira, Lawrence Victory Adaugo, Okopi Peter, Enger Benedicta, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, Paul Shantong, Victoria Cornelius, Pius Samson, Okan Adara and Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu, a House Officer.