Gunmen have abducted more than 20 medical students in Benue, raising concerns over the ongoing security challenges in the region. Authorities are on high alert as efforts to rescue the students intensify.

Gunmen in Benue State have abducted more than 20 medical and dental students as well as a house officer.

According to Vanguard’s report, the students were en route to Enugu for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) yearly conference when they encountered an ambush at approximately 5:30 pm near Otukpo.

According to reports, the individuals affected are from both the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos.

SP Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for Benue State Police Command, verified the kidnapping and assured that an inquiry is in progress.

“There’s no doubt, the kidnapping report is accurate. We received it between 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 pm and an investigation into this matter has begun,” she confirmed.

As of Friday, there has been no official request for a ransom or any terms put forth in exchange for their release.

The prevalence of kidnapping in Benue and other areas of Nigeria has been on the rise, causing apprehension and unease among various communities.

Gunmen kidnapped two female students from the Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture, Makurdi in Benue State during May.

Three personnel, including Dr Emmanuel Barki – the interim head of Benue State Polytechnic in Ugbokolo – were kidnapped by gunmen who then asked for a ransom amounting to N70m during July.

In March, it was reported that ten individuals had been abducted at Jootar in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on the Taraba/Benue border.

The disconcerting pattern is a component of an overarching upsurge in abductions throughout the nation, wherein criminal organizations focus on both individuals and groups by frequently requesting substantial ransoms.

The surge in such actions emphasizes the critical necessity for upgraded security measures to safeguard individuals and tackle the underlying factors propelling this flood of criminal conduct.