IG charged to rescue abducted students

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, on Saturday, directed security agencies in the state to intensify efforts and ensure the safe release of the 20 medical students of the University of Jos who were abducted in the state.

The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, condemned in strong terms the abduction of the student doctors who are from University of Maiduguri and University of Jos.

“The students were ambushed and taken away by gunmen along Otukpo-Enugu highway while on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students annual convention in Enugu State, on Thursday evening.

“He (the governor) warns the criminal elements operating within the state to find another base, as his administration will not rest on its laurels to stamp out all forms of criminality in the state.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has expressed deep concern over the abduction of 20 medical students in Benue State, urging swift intervention from security agencies.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rotimi Akin, the Green Chamber stated that they were in tandem with the NMA and NANS in urgently calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, heads of other security agencies to mobilise all necessary resources to ensure the safe return of these students.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, Dennis Idahosa, said, “The safety of our medical students is paramount, and this incident is not just an attack on these young professionals but on the future of our healthcare system.

“We demand decisive action from our security agencies to bring these students home safely.”

Similarly, the Nigerian Medical Association has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently intervene in the abduction of 20 medical students, who were kidnapped on their way to Enugu for a conference.

The NMA Secretary-General, Dr Benjamin Egbo, disclosed this in a letter to the IG, which was posted on the association’s X.com account on Saturday.

The letter dated August 16 read, “I write on behalf of the Nigerian Medical Association to urgently bring to your attention a grave situation involving the abduction of 20 medical students.

“These students, comprising 12 from the University of Jos and eight from the University of Maiduguri, were en route to a conference organised by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu when they were kidnapped.”

The statement added, “Given the urgency of this matter and the potential risks to the lives of these young students, we implore your office to deploy all necessary resources to secure their immediate and safe return.

“The Nigerian Medical Association is deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of these future medical professionals, and we believe that swift and decisive action by the Nigeria Police Force is crucial at this time.”

The NMA also offered to provide assistance and support to facilitate the police efforts in rescuing the abducted students.

However, the IG vowed that the force would secure the victims’ release from their captors.

The IGP in a statement on Saturday condemned the kidnap, describing it as appalling, callous, and unacceptable.

The statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, partly reads, “The IG has ordered the prompt deployment of a substantial number of human and technical resources to augment the manpower of the Benue State Command and ensure swift rescue of our beloved students.

“The Nigeria Police Force stands with the victims and their loved ones during this challenging time, and we are committed to ensuring the safe return of the students.”

Meanwhile, on Friday, some of the victims took to social media platforms such as WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter) to plead for public donations, revealing that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50m for their release.

One of the victims, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley on Friday evening tweeted via his X handle @King_aondona, “We were kidnapped on our way to Enugu for a convention @Nigerian_Doctor.

“They are requesting for N50m 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”

Speaking on the matter, the National Association of Nigerian Students has called on the Federal Government to secure the immediate release of the abducted medical students of the University of Jos.

NANS President, Lucky Emonefe, in a statement on Saturday, condemned the kidnapped students, describing the heinous act as unacceptable.

He said, “The fact that this incident occurred despite the presence of security personnel along the notorious Otukpo-Otukpa portion of the federal highway is alarming.

“We are engaging with relevant authorities to demand immediate action to rescue the abducted students and ensure their safe release. We appeal to the federal and state governments to take concrete steps to address the security challenges facing our nation.”

In another development, the Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, have called for the release of an abducted resident doctor of the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, Ganiyat Popoola.

Popoola was kidnapped along with her husband and nephew on December 27, 2023.

Although her husband was released in March, our correspondent gathered that the doctor and her nephew, Abdul-Mugniy Folaranmi, had remained in captivity.

The President of ARD FNPH, Calabar, Dr Victor Essien, told Sunday PUNCH that the association staged a protest on Thursday, urging the authorities to effect Popoola and her nephew’s release from her abductors.

The National Association of Resident Doctors also warned of a nationwide strike if Popoola was not released by August 26.