Twenty medical students who were recently kidnapped in Benue State have been successfully rescued, bringing relief to their families and the community. The rescue operation, which took place late Friday, was carried out by a joint security task force in the region.
The students, all of whom are studying at the Benue State University College of Health Sciences, were abducted earlier this week while on their way to a rural medical outreach program in the state. The kidnapping sent shockwaves through the community, sparking widespread concern and prompting swift action from both state and federal authorities.
Details of the rescue operation are still emerging, but initial reports indicate that the security forces were able to locate and secure the safe release of all 20 students without any casualties. The kidnappers reportedly fled the scene as the task force approached, abandoning their captives in the process.
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s North Central region, has seen a rise in incidents of kidnapping in recent years, often targeting students and other vulnerable groups. The recent abduction of the medical students heightened fears and led to calls for more robust security measures in the area.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State expressed his gratitude to the security forces for their swift and effective response, stating, “The safety of our citizens, especially our students, is of utmost priority. We will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.”
The rescued students have been taken to a medical facility for thorough examination and are expected to reunite with their families soon. This successful rescue operation serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges in parts of Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become a persistent issue.
