Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has condemned the recent kidnapping of about 20 medical students and a house officer by bandits in Benue State.
The ministry, in a statement, described the unfortunate incident as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and students in the country.
It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students, ‘Their safety and well-being are paramount to us,’
‘We urge the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime and bring them to justice.
‘We also call on perpetrators of such evil activities to desist from such criminal acts and respect the sanctity of human life,’ the statement added.
The ministry stressed that the kidnapping of medical students is a setback to the nation’s efforts to strengthen the healthcare workforce, emphasising the need for safe and conducive environment for healthcare professionals to carry out their duties without fear of violence.
