A group of more than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, were kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State while traveling to a convention.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of our students,” said a spokesperson for the University of Maiduguri. “We urge the authorities to take swift action to ensure their release.”
The students, from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were ambushed in the Otukpo area around 5:30 pm while en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students annual convention in Enugu.
“We received the report of the kidnapping between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm, and an investigation is ongoing,” said SP Catherine Anene, Benue State Police Command spokesperson.
No ransom demands or conditions for release have been made, according to reports. The incident is part of a growing trend of kidnappings in Benue and other parts of Nigeria, leaving communities in fear and insecurity.
“This is a disturbing trend that requires immediate attention,” said a security expert. “The government must take concrete steps to address the root causes of this criminality and ensure the safety of citizens.”
