The Nigerian Medical Association has disclosed that it has written to the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently facilitate the release of the medical students who were abducted on their way to Enugu state for the conference of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS).
In a post made on association X handle, the general secretary of the association, Dr Benjamin Egbo, disclosed that the association was demanding an urgent rescue of the students who have been held hostage for more than 24 hours now. The number of abducted students stands at 20, comprising students from the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri.
It was disclosed that 12 of the abducted students are from the University of Jos, and eight are from the University of Maiduguri.
The NMA disclosed that the twenty students were abducted when they were travelling on the Otukpo-Enugu expressway at the Benue point of the road. It was disclosed that one of the abducted students had shared their Google location, which indicated that they were held in the Oglewu Ehaje area of Benue State.
The NAMA urged the IGP to deploy all necessary resources to secure the student’s release as soon as possible. They further urged the security agencies to ensure the students’ safe and sound release.
On Saturday, the IGP Kayode Egbetokun directed the deployment of tactical operatives and assets to ensure a quick and safe release.
The force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the IG described the abduction as criminal.
The force PRO explained that the IG had ordered the deployment of a substantial number of security officers to facilitate the release of the abducted students with immediate effect.
He explained that the security agencies to be deployed include FID-STS and FID-IRT, advanced helicopters and drones, and the use of specialized tactical vehicles. He noted the deployment will help facilitate quick release in advanced searches.
