By Juliana Uzoka

Nigerians have expressed outrage and called for intensified security efforts following the kidnapping of 20 medical students and a doctor on Thursday, 15 August, as they traveled to Enugu for the annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) convention.

The incident occurred in the early evening along Oturkpo, Benue State, involving eight students from the University of Maiduguri and 12 from the University of Jos. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has voiced grave concerns and demanded urgent action from Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to secure the timely release of the captives.

In a letter to the IGP via its official X.com platform, NMA Secretary-General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, revealed that one of the captives had managed to disclose their location using Google Maps, indicating they were in a community called Oglewu Ehaje. Dr. Egbo urged the IGP to deploy all necessary resources to ensure their immediate and safe return.

Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Pate, also called on the kidnappers to “respect the sanctity of human life” while urging security forces to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.

The House of Representatives, through its spokesman Hon. Akin Rotimi, has echoed these demands, stressing the importance of mobilizing all available resources to ensure the students’ safe return. Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, emphasized that the safety of medical students is paramount, describing the incident as an attack on the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

In a statement co-signed by FECAMDS National President, Ige Gabriel Ariyo, and National Secretary, Mary Rose Malomo, the federation expressed deep concern and assured that they are working tirelessly with relevant parties to ensure the speedy release of the abducted students. They also appealed to the media and the public to exercise caution in their reporting to avoid jeopardizing ongoing rescue efforts.

Reports from Crux indicate that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of approximately $32,000. One of the abductees managed to send a message via X.com, revealing that they had been starved for two days and were being threatened with death.

Father Moses Lorapu, Director of Communication for the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Benue State, criticized the government’s complacency in handling serious crimes. “We are steadily descending into a terrible state as a country,” he said, adding that such incidents fuel anxiety about the safety of ordinary Nigerians, particularly Christians.

Benue State Governor, Father Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest, vowed not to rest until all criminal elements are flushed out of the state and urged the police to deploy all necessary security measures to rescue the students.

The Nigerian Senate in 2022 passed a bill imposing a ban on ransom payments to kidnappers, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison for violators. Despite this, families and victims have continued to pay ransoms to secure the release of loved ones.

According to a report by SBM Intelligence, a security consultancy firm, Nigeria recorded approximately 4,777 kidnapping cases between May 2023 and January 2024, during President Tinubu’s administration.

In response to the latest incident, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of additional police personnel and technical resources for an intensive rescue operation in Oturkpo. This plan includes the mobilization of tactical units from FID-STS and FID-IRT, the deployment of advanced helicopters and drones, and the use of specialized tactical vehicles to secure the victims’ safe return.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Tanko Ishaya, has assured that the school management is closely monitoring the rescue mission, awaiting further information on the students’ release.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), through its Senate President, Afeez Akinteye, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students. NANS emphasized that the students’ continued captivity endangers the future of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and urged the government and security agencies to take all necessary actions to ensure their safe return.

While adding that their continued captivity jeopardizes the chances of improved workforce in the healthcare sector, the group further highlighted that “Students are the future leaders, professionals, and innovators of our country, it is imperative that government and security agencies take all necessary actions to secure their return. The importance of safeguarding students cannot be overstated, as their well-being directly impacts the advancement and stability of the society.”

Crime rates in Nigeria have escalated, with banditry and kidnapping becoming increasingly prevalent, negatively impacting the economy and prompting businesses to relocate to safer areas. There is a growing demand from citizens and stakeholders for decisive government action to curb this menace.