20 Medical Students Kidnapped In Benue

Armed men on Thursday evening abducted about 20 medical and dental students from two universities alongside a house officer in Benue State.

Our correspondent gathered that the students were going for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu State when the incident happened.

It was gathered that the victims are students of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and University of Jos (UNIJOS), who were ambushed by the gunmen around 5:30pm in Otukpo local government area of Benue State en route Enugu.

Benue State police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed the incident through a telephone conversation with our correspondent but did not give details, saying investigation was ongoing.

Giving a breakdown, the second vice president of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Ushakuma Anenga in a telephone interview said 20 medical students, comprising 12 from the University of Jos and 8 from the University of Maiduguri, were en route to a conference organised by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) in Enugu when they were kidnapped.

“The incident took place in the evening between Otukpo and Enugu. We are working closely with the Benue State government and security agencies to ensure their release and safe return.