From captivity to freedom: Story of 20 kidnapped medical students rescued in Benue

…UNIJOS VC, Student Union president, others rejoice

…Joy in Akwa Ibom as NYSC member kidnapped last year is finally released

A dramatic rescue operation has resulted in the freedom of 20 medical students who were kidnapped along the Otukpo-Enugu Road in Benue State. The students, who were on their way to a meeting of Catholic medical students, in Enugu were released on Friday night.

Sambo Nancwat Peter, the Student Union Government (SUG) President of the University of Jos, Plateau State, confirmed the news to BusinessDay in a telephone interview on Saturday in Jos. Peter expressed relief and gratitude, saying, “We are overjoyed that the students have been released safely.”

According to Peter, the released students had gone to meet with Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser. The motive behind the kidnapping is still unclear, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety of students and travellers on Nigerian roads.

The rescue operation was carried out by security forces, who worked tirelessly to ensure the students’ safe release. Details of the operation are still sketchy.

The kidnapping had sparked widespread condemnation and calls for the students’ immediate release. The academic community, in particular, was shaken by the incident, with many expressing fears about the safety of students in the country.

University of Jos VC hails release, says ‘it’s victory over insecurity’

Ishaya Tanko, a professor and vice chancellor of the University of Jos, has expressed immense excitement and relief over the release of the 20 medical students, 12 of whom are from the University.

The University has welcomed the news of their release. The institution has promised to provide support and counseling to the students to help them overcome their traumatic experience.

Tanko praised the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Federal Government for their role in facilitating the students’ release. He commended their efforts, saying, “The swift action taken by the Federal Government and the National Security Adviser has shown their commitment to fighting insecurity in the country.”

Read also: UNIJOS students cry for protection as kidnapping rampant in the North

The Vice Chancellor also extended his gratitude to the Dean of Student Affairs, the students, and other management staff for their support and prayers during the trying period. He acknowledged the collective effort that led to the students’ safe return.

The University of Jos has promised to provide rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for the released students to help them overcome their traumatic experience. Tanko assured that the University would do everything possible to support the students’ recovery and well-being.

The release of the medical students is seen as a significant victory over insecurity in Nigeria. The incident had sparked widespread concern and fear among students, parents, and the academic community.

The University of Jos has a reputation for academic excellence and a strong commitment to student welfare. The vice chancellor’s leadership during this challenging period has demonstrated the institution’s dedication to its students’ safety and well-being.

As the students begin their journey towards recovery, the university community is coming together to offer support and solidarity. The incident has highlighted the importance of vigilance and collective action in ensuring the safety and security of all students.

The release of the medical students serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria. It demonstrates that with swift action and collaboration, even the most challenging situations can be overcome.

Read also: End kidnapping, banditry in the North – Group tells Tinubu

The University of Jos VC’s excitement over the release of the medical students is a testament to the power of resilience and collective action. As the students begin their journey towards recovery, the university’s commitment to their rehabilitation and reintegration is a reassuring step towards healing and normalcy.

Meanwhile, there have been much relief and subdued calmness as the last member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from Akwa Ibom State kidnapped a year ago while travelling to Sokoto State for the orientation camp has been released.

In all, eight corps members from Akwa Ibom State were kidnapped and seven of them had been released in batches until the last was released at the weekend.

They were kidnapped on 17 August 2024 on Funtua Bisau Road in Zamfara State.

Solomon Bassey Daniel, a graduate of Science Technology from Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, was left behind by his captors until his release Thursday.

The Director-General of NYSC, YD Ahmed, disclosed that they were rescued through the combined efforts of security operatives.

“Eight members of the NYSC who were abducted by unknown gunmen on their way from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital to Sokoto State have regained freedom,” he said.

According to him, “While in Zambara, we collaborated with the Army, Police, DSS and traditional rulers.

We also had a meeting with the governor of Zamfara State regarding the kidnapping of the prospective corps members.”

Having spent a year in captivity, Daniel’s freedom from the captors’ den has been greeted with much relief and subdued calmness in the state as some people who spoke with our correspondent expressed dismay over the security situation in the country as others however, described his release as overdue.

For Goodness Essien, a graduate of Communication Arts who had recently completed the one-year mandatory national service, the release was a big relief not just to the family but to all lovers of peace and freedom in the country.

“It is good news, it is an indication that the Federal Government is not taking the security of lives of the NYSC members for granted, adding however, that “the Federal Government should critically take steps to address the insecurity in the country so that many parents may not continue to have anxiety about their children when they are posted to parts of the country for the NYSC scheme.’’

For Unyime Bassey, who has just rounded off her NYSC in Yobe State, “It is a thing of joy for him to be finally released,” while also thanking the authorities that may have worked behind the scenes for his release.

“I must commend the initiators of his release while appealing to the state, the Federal Government and the NYSC to post corps members to areas within their geopolitical zones to avoid the risk of travelling for days on the road.

“I would plead with the Federal Government to compensate the released corps member,’’ she said.

However, Bassey Anthony, chairman of the Correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State, believes the threat of insecurity affecting the corps members can be reduced if they should refrain from travelling in groups in the same vehicle while the NYSC should localise the posting of prospective members.

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Internal Security, Koko Essien could not be reached to find out whether the state government played any role in securing the release of the eight corps members.