Twenty medical students who were kidnapped in Benue State have been successfully rescued, according to security sources.
The operation was coordinated by the office of the National Security Adviser and involved the collaboration of the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and military personnel, with support from the Benue State government.
The details of the rescue are still emerging, but the students were reportedly abducted while traveling to Enugu State through Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue. The incident took place last Thursday evening as they were ambushed by bandits while traveling in a convoy of two buses from the northern part of Nigeria.
Following the abduction, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦50 million. In response, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered a prompt rescue operation, deploying significant resources including tactical units, helicopters, drones, and specialized vehicles.
The kidnapping sparked widespread condemnation and highlighted the growing issue of insecurity in the region, particularly on the federal highway from Otukpo to other areas in Benue State, which has seen a rise in kidnapping incidents over recent years.
This rescue operation marks a significant success in the ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping in the region, though the situation remains a challenge due to the presence of criminal groups in the area.