Benue State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the arrival to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, fresh contingents of investigators from “Force Headquarters in Abuja. The special contingents are to assist in the investigation and rescue efforts of the 20 kidnapped medical students along the Otupko – Enugu Road.
The medical students are made up of students from the Universities of Maiduguri and Jos. They were reported to be travelling to Enugu State for a youth programme.
The arrival of the special contingents from Abuja was revealed by the Benue State Command, Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, in a telephone interview. She said the new team would complement the State officers to move the investigations forward.
This development is coming following pressures on the police authorities to ensure the release of the medical students who were kidnapped last Thursday in Benue State.
Recall that IVNTV NEWS reported that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million. The ransom was revealed by the National President of the Benue Medical Students Association, BEMSA, Samuel Uche.
According to Uche, his team had met with some government officials who assured them the government was working hard to free the students.
“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 involves sending some security operatives from the DSS,” Uche narrated.
President of the medical students body in Benue said his association has written official letters to the Nigerian Medical Association. Also to the Commissioner of Health, the Secretary to the Benue State Government, and the Commissioner of Police. And have appealed to them for the release of the students.
“We’ve been trying a lot on our end. We are hoping that the government will step in. And act as fast as they could to see how they can get our friends out,” he said.
Recall that on the heels of the kidnap, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate deployment of more police resources to augment the Benue State Command’s capabilities. This is to ensure the swift rescue of the medical students.
source: Premium Times
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