Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, charging him to activate all available arsenals to secure the quick release of the 20 abducted medical students in Benue State.
The association also extended the petition to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, pressing on them to take urgent steps to secure unconditional rescue of the abducted medical students.
NMA Secretary General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, who signed the petition entitled: “Urgent request for intervention in the abduction of medical students in Benue State,” assured the IGP that the NMA was prepared to provide any form of assistance or support required to facilitate the efforts of the police in this regard.
Part of the petition reads: “I write on behalf of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to urgently draw your attention to a grave situation involving the abduction of 20 medical students.
“The students, comprising 12 from the University of Jos and eight from the University of Maiduguri, were enroute to a conference organised by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) in Enugu when they were kidnapped.
“The incident occurred between Otukpo in Benue State and Enugu at approximately 5:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday, 15th August 2024. One of the abducted students managed to share their location via Google maps, indicating that they were in the Oglewu Ehaje area in Benue State. This message was accompanied by an abduction note, further confirming the incident.
“Given the urgency of this matter and the potential risks to the lives of these young students, we implore your office to deploy all necessary resources to secure their immediate and safe return.
“The Nigerian Medical Association is deeply concerned about the safety and well being of these future medical professionals, and we believe that swift and decisive action by the Nigeria Police Force is crucial at this time.
“We respectfully request that your office liaises with the appropriate security agencies and units within the region to locate and rescue the abducted students. The NMA is prepared to provide any assistance or support required to facilitate the efforts of the police in this regard.”
Meanwhile, an official of University of Maiduguri, who spoke to BBC Hausa Service, on Saturday, confirmed the abduction of the students, stressing that the school management was working with security agencies and other relevant organisations to ensure quick and unconditional release of the students.
