Twenty medical students, kidnapped while travelling to a conference in Benue State, have been freed by security operatives.
The students, from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were abducted by gunmen on 15th August However, they were rescued on Friday in Ntunkon forest, Benue State, without any ransom paid.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejoboi, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, “Contrary to some tweets and unconfirmed stories that some money was paid, no kobo was paid to release them.”
He said they were rescued “tactically and professionally” by a combined team of security agencies and locals with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Fortune Olaye, secretary-general of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, also confirmed the release, saying, “We’ve spoken to them on the phone. They are safe.”
The students were abducted near Otukpo, less than 150 km from Enugu, an area prone to attacks and kidnappings.
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