The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urgently called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take immediate action in response to the abduction of 20 medical students who were kidnapped while travelling to Enugu for a conference.
News About Nigeria reported that the students were on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed by gunmen around 5:30 p.m. in the Otukpo area of Benue State.
Among the abducted are a house officer and students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos.
The NMA Secretary-General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, detailed the situation in a letter to the IGP, which was shared on the association’s X.com account on Saturday.
The letter, dated August 16, said the association is concerned for the students’ safety and urged the police to deploy all necessary resources to ensure their immediate and safe return.
“I write on behalf of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to urgently bring to your attention a grave situation involving the abduction of 20 medical students,” the letter read.
“These students, comprising 12 from the University of Jos and 8 from the University of Maiduguri, were en route to a conference organised by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) in Enugu when they were kidnapped.”
The NMA revealed that one of the abducted students managed to share their location via Google Maps, indicating they were in the Oglewu Ehaje area.
This message was accompanied by an abduction note, further confirming the incident.
Given the urgency of the situation, the NMA urged the police to act quickly, adding that the lives of the abducted students are at risk.
The association also offered its assistance and support to facilitate the police’s efforts in rescuing the students.
Meanwhile, one of the kidnapped students, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, managed to send a distress message through his X account, pleading for help.
“We were kidnapped on our way to Enugu for a convention. They are requesting 50 million naira for the 20 of us medical students. Please help us; we haven’t eaten for two days. Contact Pius at 08163420157—he is coordinating the funds,” Kingsley wrote.
