Twenty medical and dental students from Benue State have been kidnapped, with their abductors demanding a ransom of N50 million for their release. One of the kidnapped students, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, managed to raise the alarm through a post on his X account, revealing their dire situation.
Kingsley’s message detailed their ordeal, stating that they had been without food for two days, intensifying the urgency of their plight. “We were kidnapped on our way to Enugu for a convention,” Kingsley tweeted. “They are requesting 50 million naira for the 20 of us medical students. Please help us; we haven’t eaten for two days. Contact Pius at 08163420157—he is coordinating the funds. They said they would start killing us tomorrow.”
This harrowing incident occurred as the students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were traveling to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu. The group was ambushed by gunmen around 5:30 p.m. in the Otukpo area of Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the abduction to SaharaReporters on Friday morning, raising concerns for the safety of the students. Among those kidnapped is a House Officer named Dr. Louis.
An X account that tracks developments in the medical field, @Nigerian_Doctor, also shared the distressing news, appealing to security agencies for swift action to rescue the students and alleviate the suffering of their families. “A House Officer (Dr Louis) and 20+ Medical and Dental Students have reportedly been kidnapped!” the account posted. “These students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were traveling for their Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu. They were reportedly abducted somewhere in Benue State, not far from Otukpo, judging by their last known location. We plead for your urgent intervention.”
SP Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the abduction and stated that an investigation had been initiated. “Yes, the report of kidnapping is true. The report was received around 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.
For further updates and to join the conversation, visit our WhatsApp channel: Join Here