According to reports, no fewer than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, have been kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State.
The students were said to be travelling to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5.30pm on Thursday August 15th in the Otukpo area.
The victims are reportedly from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the abduction and stated that an investigation is ongoing.
“Yes, the report of the kidnapping is true. It was received between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and an investigation is ongoing,” she said.
Meanwhile, as of press time, no official demand for ransom or conditions for their release have been made.
Recall that in May, two female students of the Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, were kidnapped by gunmen.
In July, gunmen whisked away three staff members, including the acting Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr Emmanuel Barki and demanded N70m ransom.
In a similar occurrence, ten persons were reportedly abducted at the Taraba/Benue border community in Jootar, in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, in March.
