The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed some police officers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Benue State to ascertain the release of the kidnapped medical students.
Their deployment was made public by the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, Catherine Anene, while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday.
According to the Benue Police PRO, the newly deployed officers who have arrived in Markurdi, the Benue state capital, would complement local officers to move the investigations forward.
News About Nigeria earlier reported that 20 medical students of the universities of Maiduguri and Jos who were travelling through Benue State to Enugu for a youth programme were last week Thursday abducted in the state.
Following their abduction, their kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million.
According to the National President of the Benue Medical Student Association (BEMSA), Samuel Uche, who confirmed the kidnappers’ demand, the association has been able to meet with some government officials who assured them that the government, together with security agencies, are working hard to free the students.
He said, “We were able to see face-to-face with some persons, some high-profile individuals, that assured us of their commitment. They told us it’s already a national security concern, and that they appreciate our efforts. They have started by taking some necessary steps, which involve sending some security operatives from the DS. “We’ve been trying a lot on our end… We are hoping that the government will step in as fast as they can to see how they can get our friends out.”
