More details emerged on Saturday about how security agents rescued the 20 abducted medical students and seven others in Benue State.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that one of the suspected kidnappers was shot dead by the combined operatives, consisting of the military, men of the Department of State Services, and the police. Two suspects were arrested.

The 20 students, who are from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, were travelling to Enugu for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students’ annual convention when they were kidnapped by bandits.

Their abduction generated an outcry, which made the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, order the deployment of tactical operatives and assets, including helicopters, drones, and tactical vehicles, to ensure the swift rescue of the victims.

One of the officers involved in the rescue operation said the team deployed both land and air assets to track the area where the students were found.

The source said, “The operation was coordinated by the National Security Adviser in Abuja. The kidnapped medical students were tracked down around Ajide forest in Ukwonyo council ward, Ado LGA of Benue State.

“You will observe that some helicopters had been hovering around in the past few days while officers, comprising the military, DSS, and the police were deployed.

”Luckily, we were able to get the spot on Friday while they (kidnappers) tried to shield themselves with the victims. But with massive pressure, they tried to escape and in the process, one of them was neutralised and two apprehended.”

Another source, who corroborated the account, told Sunday PUNCH that the students were immediately taken to Abuja.

“They should be reunited with their loved ones by Monday or Tuesday,” he added.

Sunday PUNCH learnt that the 20 medical students were taken to the National Intelligence Agency clinic for treatment.

A source said the students were undergoing medical checks alongside some youth corps members who were recently rescued from their abductors.

“The rescued students were taken to the NIA complex where they are undergoing medical screening following their traumatic experience in the hands of their kidnappers,” the source said.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the rescue on Friday night, stated that no ransom was paid. He noted that they were “tactically and professionally” rescued.

He said, “We confirm the release of our brothers and sisters and some other Nigerians, who had been in captivity since Friday, 23 August, 2024, in Ntunkon forest, Benue State, without any ransom paid. Contrary to some tweets and unconfirmed stories that some money was paid, no kobo was paid to release them. We commend the security agencies, locals, and ONSA for their commitment and resilience.”

We had lost hope – Parents

Reacting to the rescue, the parents of one of the students, Mr Donald Fagar, and his wife, Cecilia, said they thought all hope was lost.

Fagar said it was the second time their son, Kingsley, would be walking through the shadow of death, adding that each time, he escaped by a whisker.

According to the parents, the 500-level medical student of the University of Jos was attacked and injured on August 15, 2022, by hoodlums during a religious crisis.

Cecilia said, “I give God all the glory today because this is the second time my son will be passing through this same trauma.

“Kingsley almost lost his life two years ago on August 15. Again, this one also happened on August 15, so it’s by the grace of God that he is coming out.

“Since the news of the release, I have been receiving phone calls; friends, family members, and neighbours congratulating us as we look forward to welcoming our son home anytime soon.”

She added, “My son called me that they were being taken to Abuja and complained that his two legs were swollen from trekking from one location to another with the kidnappers all through the bush with nowhere to sleep as they were drenched anytime it rained.”

Sympathisers visit student’s home

Scores of sympathisers and well-wishers on Saturday thronged the Kukumu home of Paul Shantong, one of the 20 abducted university students who regained their freedom on Friday night.

One of the well-wishers, Hanatu Gyang, who said she and her family had been traumatised by the news of the sudden disappearance of Paul, described his release as a great relief.

Gyang said, “I’m a neighbour to Paul Shantong. Paul has a twin sibling and they are just two that his parents gave birth to. Since the news of his abduction filtered into this community, it was as if somebody died. It’s really a big relief to some of us because the thought of losing him, a medical student, to kidnappers, was unbearable.”

Another well-wisher, John Philip, said he and his two brothers visited Paul’s family to celebrate with them.

Paul’s mother, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed joy over her son’s release while thanking God for answered prayers.

She said, “I don’t know how to thank God for ensuring the freedom of my son and his colleagues. It was really a very bad experience for us during the period of his captivity; but we thank God for everything.

“I have not seen him because they were taken to Abuja before they will be released to rejoin their parents, but I spoke with him this morning, and he confirmed to me that indeed, he is no more with the kidnappers. I give God the glory for what he has done.”

UNIMAID students celebrate

Also, students of the University of Maiduguri expressed joy over the release of their eight colleagues, who were abducted alongside 12 students from the University of Jos.

The President of the Student Union Government of the institution, Muhammad Bello, said the rescue was a relief to the student community.

“We feel the essence of hope and renewed faith in the power of collaborative action,” he added.

On his part, the President of the University of Maiduguri Medical and Dental Students Association, Yakubu Abdul, said the student community was overjoyed upon the receipt of the news on Friday night.

He said, “Our students have been celebrating on social media and even physically. We are hopeful and can’t wait for them to be returned to us as soon as possible to continue with their academic programmes. We remain grateful to the security agencies and the Nigerian government for attending to our pleas and our cries.”

Similarly, a 400-level student from the Department of Petrochemical Engineering of the institution, Qanisat Musa, commended the security agencies and the government for exhibiting proactiveness and professionalism towards the safe return of their colleagues. (Sunday PUNCH)

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