The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that the 20 medical students from the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri who were abducted in Benue State have been rescued from their captors.
Their rescue was successfully carried out through the collaborative efforts of the military, police, and the Department of State Security (DSS), coordinated by the office of the official Security Adviser (NSA).
Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the police command, communicated in an SMS at 11:15 yesterday that the kidnapped victims have been released and further details would be provided the following morning.
The students were taken captive while en route to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu, on the Otukpo-Enugu Highway in Benue State.
Following their abduction, one of the victims, Aondona Kingsley, managed to convey the harrowing experience they endured, including being deprived of food during the initial days of captivity and facing threats of torture and death.
The abductors demanded a ransom of N50 million for the release of the 20 medical students.
The freed students 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.