Tension as Bandits Kidnap 20 Medical Students in Benue

At least 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos were kidnapped by bandits along the Otukpo-Enugu road in Benue State while traveling to a convention, prompting a police investigation.

Bandits have kidnapped at least 20 medical students along the Otukpo-Enugu road in Benue State. The students were on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FCMDS) Annual Convention in Enugu State when they were abducted.

The state police public relations officer, Sewuese Anene, confirmed that an investigation into the incident has commenced.

The students, from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were traveling to Enugu for the convention. According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, eight of the kidnapped students are members of the University of Maiduguri Medical Students Association (UMMESA).

Makama provided details via his X handle (formerly known as Twitter) @ZagazOlaMakama, stating that the students began their journey on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). They made an overnight stop at the University of Jos, joined by 10 more students, making a total of 18. The last known communication was at 3:24 PM on Thursday, August 15, after which contact was lost.

Sewuese Anene, the state police public relations officer, confirmed the kidnapping. She noted that the students were traveling in two buses from Jos to Enugu when they were abducted near the Otukpo area. Anene mentioned that the investigation is ongoing but did not specify which universities the students were from.

List of Kidnapped Medical Students:

1. Boniface Tizhe – 500-level MBBS student
2. Thomas Yahaya – 500-level MBBS student
3. Fortune Umeh – 500-level MBBS student
4. Godwin Tumba – 500-level MBBS student
5. Iwev Gabriel Jita – 300-level MBBS student
6. Boniface Okon – 300-level MBBS student
7. Dondo Fabian – 300-level Medical Laboratory student
8. John Bitrus – 200-level Nursing student
9. Monica Ejembi
10. Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka
11. Paul Nyampa Zira
12. Lawrence Victory Adaugo
13. Okopi Pete
14. Enger Benedicta
15. Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley
16. Paul Shantong
17. Victoria Cornelius
18. Pius Samson
19. Okan Adara
20. Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu

The incident has sparked tension and concerns about the safety of students and travelers in the region.

READ ALSO: Zamfara: 21 Female Students Kidnapped, Sparks Public Outcry

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEGIT.NG