Gunmen abduct over 20 medical students in Benue

In a deeply troubling incident, more than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, have been abducted by gunmen in Benue State.

The students were en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5:30 PM in the Otukpo area, according to reports from Vanguard.

The kidnapped students are from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos. The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction, with spokesperson SP Catherine Anene stating that an investigation is currently underway. “Yes, the report of the kidnapping is true. It was received between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, and an investigation is ongoing,” she said.

As of now, no official demands for ransom or conditions for the release of the students have been made.

The incident adds to the growing wave of kidnappings in Benue State and across Nigeria, where such abductions have become alarmingly frequent, instilling fear and insecurity in communities.

This latest kidnapping follows a series of similar incidents in the region. In May, two female students from Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture in Makurdi were kidnapped, and in July, gunmen abducted three staff members, including the acting Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr. Emmanuel Barki, demanding a ransom of N70 million. Earlier in March, ten people were reportedly kidnapped in the Taraba/Benue border community of Jootar.

The surge in kidnapping incidents highlights the urgent need for strengthened security measures and a comprehensive strategy to address the underlying causes of this rampant criminality. The safety and well-being of citizens remain a critical concern as these disturbing trends continue to unfold.