More than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, have been kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State. The students, who were en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu, were ambushed around 5:30 p.m. 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 incident, stating that an investigation is underway. As of now, there has been no official demand for ransom or conditions for their release.
This incident adds to the growing wave of kidnappings in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria. In recent months, Benue has witnessed multiple abductions, contributing to a climate of fear and insecurity. Earlier this year, two female students from Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture in Makurdi were kidnapped, and in July, three staff members from Benue State Polytechnic, including the acting Rector, were also abducted.
The increasing frequency of such kidnappings highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures and strategies to combat the root causes of this criminal activity in Nigeria.
