More than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, were kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State, Nigeria. The students were en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5:30 p.m. in the Otukpo area, according to a report by Vanguard.
The abducted students are reportedly from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos. The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway. “Yes, the report of the kidnapping is true. It was received between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and an investigation is ongoing,” she said.
Kidnappings have become increasingly frequent in Benue and other parts of Nigeria, contributing to a climate of fear and insecurity. In recent incidents, two female students from the Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture in Makurdi were kidnapped in May. In July, gunmen abducted three staff members, including the acting Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Dr. Emmanuel Barki, demanding a ransom of N70 million. Ten people were also reportedly kidnapped in March at the Taraba/Benue border community in Jootar, Ukum Local Government Area.
This alarming trend is part of a broader increase in kidnapping incidents across the country, where criminal groups often target individuals and groups for ransom. The rise in such activities highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect citizens and address the underlying causes of this wave of criminality.
