Police Intensify Search for Abductors of 20 Medical Students

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has intensified efforts to locate and rescue 20 medical students who were abducted in Benue State. The students, hailing from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were en route to Enugu for a medical convention when they were kidnapped on the Otukpo/Otukpa/Enugu road on Thursday evening.

In response to the abduction, the IGP has deployed additional detectives to Benue State, supported by helicopters, drones, and tactical vehicles, to aid in the rescue mission. Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the deployment and emphasized the IGP's commitment to ensuring the safe return of the students. He also urged the public to provide any confidential information that could assist in the operation.

The University of Jos Alumni Association has condemned the abduction, particularly noting the kidnapping of 12 of its students. Association Chairman Gad Peter called the incident a grave threat to education and demanded immediate and decisive action from security agencies to apprehend the culprits and ensure the students' release.

In a related development, three students from Enugu State College of Health Technology were reportedly kidnapped in the Oji-River Local Government Area. Initial reports had exaggerated the number of victims, but police later confirmed that two of the students have been rescued, while three remain missing. Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe clarified that a viral video circulating online, which claimed a larger scale of abductions, was false and misleading. The investigation into this incident continues as efforts are made to recover the remaining students and apprehend those responsible.

These incidents underscore the rising insecurity in the region and the urgent need for enhanced measures to protect students and other vulnerable groups from such attacks.