The identities of the 20 Nigerian medical students kidnapped by gunmen have been revealed. The students, from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were abducted while traveling to Enugu State.
Their identities were made known by an X user SportsDokita (Odogwu) @Sports_Doctor2.
The missing students include:
- Boniface Tizhe, 500-level MBBS student
- Thomas Yahaya, 500-level MBBS student
- Fortune Umeh, 500-level MBBS student
- Godwin Tumba, 500-level MBBS student
- Iwev Gabriel Jita, 300-level MBBS student
- Boniface Okon, 300-level MBBS student
- Dondo Fabian, 300-level Medical Laboratory student
- John Bitrus, 200-level Nursing student
- Monica Ejembi
- Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka
- Paul Nyampa Zira
- Lawrence Victory Adaugo
- Okopi Pete
- Enger Benedicta
- Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley
- Paul Shantong
- Victoria Cornelius
- Pius Samson
- Okan Adara
- Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu
Among the kidnapped students are eight members of the University of Maiduguri Medical Students Association (UMMESA) who were en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FCMDS) Annual Convention.
The students began their journey on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, departing from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
They made an overnight stop at the University of Jos and continued their journey the next morning, August 15, 2024. The group, now joined by 10 students from the University of Jos, totaled 18 individuals.
Their last known communication was at 3:24 PM on August 15, 2024, after which contact was lost. The abduction reportedly occurred along the Otukpo (Benue) – Enugu road, a known route for travelers between the two states.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation has been launched into the abduction.
