Police confirm release of 20 abducted medical students

The students were kidnapped on August 15 while traveling to a conference in Benue State, central Nigeria. The gunmen demanded a ransom for their release. "We confirm the release of our brothers and sisters, along with other Nigerians, from captivity in Ntunkon forest, Benue State, on Friday," said Nigerian police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

State police issued a statement confirming the safe return of 20 students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos. Police emphasized that no ransom was paid, and the rescue operation was conducted "tactically and professionally," as stated by Adejobi.

In response to the growing number of abductions in Nigeria, the country’s police chief had deployed a specialized tactical squad to Benue State earlier this week to aid in the search and rescue efforts.

Fortune Olaye, secretary-general of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NIMSA), also confirmed the release, assuring that the students are safe after speaking with them by phone.

The students were taken while traveling in a convoy of two buses near Otukpo, a town located less than 150km (93 miles) from Enugu, a region frequently plagued by attacks and kidnappings. Armed gangs have increasingly targeted villagers, students, and travelers in northern Nigeria, with many abductions driven by ransom demands.

Each year, thousands of people are kidnapped for ransom across Nigeria, though many cases go unreported. The rise in kidnappings is largely attributed to the country’s severe economic crisis, which has pushed more individuals into criminal activities.