The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has warned those releasing vital information online about the kidnapping of the 20 medical and dental students to desist.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated this in a Facebook post early Sunday morning.

Daily Sun reported that more than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, were kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State.

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

The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the development.

Meanwhile, one of the victims, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, put out a Save Our Soul (SOS) message via his X account over the weekend.

He revealed that the victims had been without food for two days and the kidnappers have demanded N50 million ransom.

“They said they would start killing us tomorrow,” he added in the August 16 post.

The FPRO said the police remains committed to rescuing the medical and dental students.

“IGP reiterates commitment to rescuing the kidnapped medical students in Benue unhurt.

“He calls for understanding and supports as more trained detectives arrive Benue.

“We commend those who share information with us confidentially, while we advise those who discuss vital information about the incident on social media to desist, as such may disrupt the ongoing operations.

“Kindly share information with us in confidence,” Adejobi said. (Sunday Sun)

Update news