Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has instructed security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the safe release of 20 medical students abducted in the state. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia strongly condemned the kidnapping of the students, who are from the University of Maiduguri, the University of Jos, and a House Officer.
Governor Alia also issued a stern warning to the criminal elements operating in the state, urging them to relocate as his administration is determined to eradicate all forms of criminality.
The abductors of the 20 medical students and House Officer have reportedly demanded a ransom of N50 million for their release. The students, who were on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu State, were kidnapped on Thursday evening, August 15, 2024, along the Otukpo-Enugu road in Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, stating that the students were traveling in two buses when they were intercepted by criminals after passing through Otukpo town and were subsequently taken to an unknown location.
The Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FCMDS) released the names of the kidnapped victims on Friday night, confirming the incident.
On Saturday, one of the kidnapped students, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, managed to send out a distress message via his X (formerly Twitter) account, revealing that the group had been without food for two days. He urged the government and the families of the victims to intervene swiftly to secure their release.
“We were kidnapped on our way to Enugu for a convention. They are requesting 50 million naira for the 20 of us medical students. Please help us, we haven’t eaten for two days,” Kingsley tweeted from the kidnappers’ den, adding, “They said they would start killing us tomorrow.”
When contacted, SP Catherine Anene stated that she had no information regarding the ransom demand.
