From Scholastica Hir Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of medical students from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. It was gathered that the students were travelling together when they were ambushed and abducted by gunmen around 5:30pm on Thursday.
Our correspondent reports that the Makurdi/Enugu road is notorious for insecurity, especially kidnapping and armed robbery which usually takes place along the Otukpo/Otukpa/Enugu axis.
Along that axis, the Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Dr Baki, as well as some Reverend Fathers from the Otukpo Catholic Diocese were recently kidnapped in the area. It was said that about 20 medical and dental students and a House Officer, were kidnapped while on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention holding in Enugu State.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, said the command has commenced investigation into the abduction to unravel the perpetrators and also rescue the victims. Anene who spoke to journalists on phone said: “About 20 students were kidnapped yesterday around Otukpo. They were traveling in two buses from Jos to Enugu state.
“The incident happened at about 5:30pm. There is no further information yet.”