Nigeria Inspector General of Police, IGP has ordered the deployment of helicopters, drones and other sophisticated weapons to Benue State after one of the 20 Doctors and Medical students kidnapped at Otukpo community on Thursday evening, Kingsley Aondona tweeted on Friday from captivity  that the kidnappers threatened to start killing them next day if their demands are not met.

Kingsley Aondona in a recent tweet, said that the kidnappers demanded the sum of ₦50 million for them, the 20 doctors to be released.

It was gathered that the students were travelling to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students, FECAMDS annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5:30pm in the Otukpo area, according to Vanguard’s report.

One of the victims, Kingsley Aondona in a two seperate tweets, he tagged the Nigerian Doctors Association verified X social media page on Friday, said thus: We were kidnapped on our way to Enugu for a convention.  @Nigerian_Doctor, (they) are requesting for 50 million for 20 of us medical students.  Please help us and we haven’t eaten for two days. 08163420157- pius, that is who we are gathering the money with.

“They said they would start killing us tomorrow”.

The victims are said to be from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos.

The IGP in a news statement made available by the Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi  few minutes ago, said as stated below excerpts:  “the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has condemned the kidnapping of 20 medical students who were abducted in Otukpo, Benue State, while en route to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu. This reprehensible act is truly appalling, callous, and unacceptable

In a display of unwavering commitment to the rescue, safety, and well-being of the young Nigerians, the IGP has ordered the prompt deployment of a substantial number of human and technical resources to augment the manpower of the Benue State Command, and ensure swift rescue of our beloved students.

This initiative encompasses the mobilization of additional tactical units from the FID-STS and FID-IRT, the deployment of advanced helicopters and drones, as well as the use of specialized tactical vehicles to facilitate the search and secure the safe return of the victims.

The Nigeria Police Force stands with the victims and their loved ones during this challenging time, and we are committed to ensuring the safe return of the students.

The Inspector-General of Police reiterates the zeal of the force to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of the perpetrators and others alike, as the Nigeria Police Force is determined to sustain the fight against crimes and criminality, most especially kidnapping of Nigerians.

The IGP equally appeals to the general public to provide useful information and actionable intelligence that may aid the ongoing investigation and the rescue operation. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or the state’s command control number or the Force Headquaters via Pressforabuja@police.gov.ng and other help lines.

The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians, and it will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace, stability, and the rule of law throughout the country”, the police stated.

A statement posted on the X social media with the username, Nigerian_Doctor while reacting to the kidnapping of the 20 students, reads full thus: “In my new country: A friend told me that a matter once arose and the medical association said “Get ready. We may all need to tender our resignation letters, if no good response from government”.

Nigeria: Twenty-six Doctors and Doctors In Training are kidnapped and the wheels keep turning, without a pause. Everyone keeps turning up at work, unbothered.

No strike warning. No strong stance. Two weeks NARD warning moved by another two weeks, with a silly excuse. NMA is quiet like a mouse. Lol. Just spineless letters and photo ops that no one gives a shit about.

1) On August 15, 2024, Twenty Nigerian Doctors and Doctors in Training were kidnapped in Benue State, Nigeria. They are yet to be released.

2) June 23, 2024, Dr Gimba and his wife and kids were kidnapped in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Their 15 year old son, Victor, was killed before the rest of the family was released.

3) Seven months ago, Dr Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola and young Folaranmi were kidnapped in Kaduna, Nigeria (December 27, 2023). They are yet to be released till now.

4) Professor Ekanem Ephraim was kidnapped over one year ago (July 13, 2023 at Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria) and her whereabouts remain unknown.

5) This year, three other Doctors have been kidnapped but were released, under unclear terms and conditions.

If a culture that typically avoids confrontations, still rises up, what is the excuse of a more resilient culture who are descendants of fierce warriors? It is shameful. It is embarrassing.

Our 21 colleagues are human beings like you and I. They deserve better from us.

• Say their names:
• 1) Boniface Tizhe
• 2) Thomas Yahaya
• 3) Gabriel Jita Iwev
• 4) Boniface Okon
• 5) Dondo Fabian
• 6) John Bitrus Naga
• 7) Fortune Chima Umeh
• 8) Godwin Gregory Tumba
• 9) Monica Ejembi
• 10) Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka
• 11) Paul Nyampa Zira
• 12) Lawrence Victory Adaugo
• 13) Okopi Peter
• 14) Enger Benedicta
• 15) Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley
• 16) Paul Shantong
• 17) Victoria Cornelius
• 18) Pius Samson
• 19) Okan Adara
• 20) Dr Luis Mmbamonyeukwu
• 21) Dr Ganiya Olawale-Popoola and young Folaranmi
• 22) Professor Ekanem Ephraim”