Olayomi Koiki
The 20 Nigerian medical students kidnapped on August 15 in the Otukpo area of the North-Central Benue State regained their freedom on Friday, according to police.
The kidnapped students reportedly regained their freedom eight days later through the concerted efforts of security agencies, including the police, DSS and military.
The national police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said on X: “We confirm the release of our brothers and sisters and some other Nigerians who have been in captivity on Friday 23rd August 2024 in Ntunkon forest, Benue State. Without any ransom paid. Contrary to some tweets and unconfirmed stories that some money was paid, no kobo was paid to release them.
“They were actually rescued tactically and professionally. We commend the security agencies, locals, and ONSA for their commitment and resilience. Thanks to you all. More details soon.”
However, KOIKI Media has not yet been able to establish if this was indeed a rescue operation or the victims were ransomed.
The students from the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri were kidnapped on their way to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) in the South-Eastern Enugu State.
Some of the students were allowed to share their locations so they could contact families and friends for a ransom of N50 million.
The kidnappers had threatened to start killing some of the students if they didn’t get the money as of last Saturday.
– Insecurity and violence in Nigeria –
For more than a decade, civilians in Nigeria have faced multiple security threats and risk of atrocities as result of attacks, kidnappings and extortion by various non-state armed groups.
Since the start of 2024 civilians have faced intensified violence across Nigeria, and near-daily attacks by armed groups resulting in kidnappings and other abuses against civilians.
Armed groups and gangs, including so-called “bandits,” have – for many years – perpetrated widespread atrocities, including murder, rape, kidnapping, organized cattle-rustling and plunder. Armed herdsmen are also destroying vast swaths of farmland, prompting many farmers to abandon their land out of fear of attack.