Nigerian Medical Students Freed from Kidnapping Ordeal
In a remarkable turn of events, twenty Nigerian medical students who were abducted on their way to a conference have been freed more than a week after their harrowing ordeal. The students, from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were seized by gunmen on August 15 while traveling to a convention in Benue State, located in the heart of the country.
According to Nigerian police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the students were released on Friday "without any ransom paid." The authorities described the operation as a "tactical" and "professional" rescue, indicating a coordinated effort to secure the students' safe return.
Fortune Olaye, the secretary-general of the Nigerian Medical Students' Association (NIMSA), confirmed the news, stating that the students had been in contact and were now safe.
The abduction occurred near the town of Otukpo, less than 150 kilometers from Enugu. This area has experienced a surge in attacks and kidnappings in recent years. Armed gangs have been targeting villagers, students, and motorists, holding them for ransom in northern Nigeria, amid a severe economic crisis that has driven more individuals toward criminal activities.
The Nigerian consultancy SBM Intelligence reported that there were 4,777 recorded kidnappings in the country between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's rise to power in May 2023 and January 2024, highlighting the scale of the problem.
The safe return of the medical students is a testament to the efforts of the Nigerian authorities, who deployed a tactical squad to the Benue State region as part of a broader campaign to address the growing threat of abductions. This incident offers a glimmer of hope in a landscape marred by rising insecurity and serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the Nigerian people in the face of adversity.
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