The parents of 20 medical and dental students who were recently kidnapped in Benue State have made an emotional appeal to the Nigerian government, urging them to intervene and secure the safe return of their children.
One parent, speaking on behalf of all the affected families, expressed the immense difficulty they are facing in trying to meet the kidnappers’ demands. “Life is extremely hard for us right now. I am pleading with the kidnappers to release our children as it is nearly impossible for us to raise the N50 million ransom they are demanding,” the parent said in an interview with AIT Online. “We are also begging the government to step in and help us get our children back.”
The kidnappers have reportedly threatened to kill the students if the ransom is not paid by Saturday.
Last week, SaharaReporters revealed that 20 medical and dental students, along with a House Officer, were abducted in Benue State. The group was traveling to Enugu to attend the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) when they were ambushed by gunmen in the Otukpo area of Benue State.
The students, who attend the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were taken hostage during the attack. In response to the incident, the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, condemned the abduction and called on security agencies to act swiftly in rescuing the students. The governor also warned that his administration is determined to eliminate all forms of criminality in the state and will not rest until the students are safely returned.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students has released the names of some of the kidnapped individuals. They include Boniface Tizhe, Thomas Yahaya, Gabriel Jita Iwev, Boniface Okon, Dondo Fabian, John Bitrus Naga, Fortune Chima Umeh, Godwin Gregory Tumba, Monica Ejembi, Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka, Paul Nyampa Zira, Lawrence Victory Adaugo, Okopi Peter, Enger Benedicta, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, Paul Shantong, Victoria Cornelius, Pius Samson, Okan Adara, and Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu, a House Officer.
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