Over 20 medical and dental students and a House Officer have been kidnapped in Benue State on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu.
The students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were travelling together when they were ambushed by gunmen around 5:30pm on Thursday in the Otukpo area of Benue State.
The State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday, sparking concerns for the safety of the abducted students.
One of the victims has been identified as a House Officer named Dr Louis.
An X account that reports issues in the medical field – @Nigerian_Doctor – who also shared the information, appealed to security agencies for urgent intervention to rescue the students and free the families from the trauma.
It wrote: “A House Officer (Dr Louis) and 20+ Medical and Dental Students have reportedly been kidnapped!
“These students, from 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.”
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, said investigation had been launched into the abduction.
“Yes, the report of kidnapping is true. The report was received around 5:30pm to 6:00pm and investigation is ongoing.”
Theresa Arike
