…Fear grips Enugu College of Health Technology over abduction of 3 students

By Sola Ogundipe, Anayo Okoli, Peter Duru

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, and Federal Ministry of Health yesterday asked security agencies to take steps to rescue the 20 medical students abducted in the state last Friday.

Recall that the said students, who were on transit from the Universities of Maiduguri and Jos, were ambushed and taken away by gunmen near Otukpo, along the busy   Otukpo-Enugu highway while on their way to Enugu for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students, FECAMDS, annual convention.

The calls become necessary as palpable fear enveloped Enugu State College of Health Technology, Oji River, following the abduction of three students of the college last Wednesday.

Gov Alia

Governor Alia in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, warned the criminal elements operating within the state to find another base, as his administration would not rest on its oars to stamp out all forms of criminality in the state.”

The Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Otukpa-Enugu axis of Benue state has become notorious for kidnap of motorists in the last few years.

Only recently, the management team of Benue State Polytechnic, led by the rector, were kidnapped on the same axis.

This was aside several other victims, including Catholic priests and several road users who were at different times abducted for ransom by armed men who had laid siege on that part of the state.

Effect urgent release of abducted doctors, NMA tasks IGP

Similarly, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, charged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the prompt and safe release of the 20 medical student doctors.

In a letter signed by NMA Secretary-General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, and copied to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and the Minister of Education, the association expressed deep concern over the safety and well-being of the abducted future medical professionals, even as it urged a swift and decisive action by the Nigeria Police Force.

The letter, dated August 16, reads: “I write on behalf of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to urgently bring to your attention a grave situation involving the abduction of 20 medical students.

Imploring the Police boss to wade into the matter, the NMA noted that swift and decisive action was paramount.

FMOH demands immediate, unconditional release of abductees

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare also called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 20 abducted medical students.

In a statement on its X handle @Fmohnigeria and signed by an Assistant Director (Information & PR), Ado Bako, the ministry described the kidnap of the medical students as a severe setback to Nigeria’s efforts to build a robust healthcare system.

It also called for the creation of a secure environment where healthcare professionals coulddeliver care without fear of violence.

The statement, dated August 17, 2024, and titled “The kidnapping of medical Students in Benue” read: “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is deeply saddened and concerned about the recent kidnapping of about 20 medical students and a house officer by bandits in Benue State.

“This unfortunate incident is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and students in Nigeria.

‘’The Ministry condemns this act of violence in the strongest terms and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students. Their safety and well-being are paramount to us.

“We urge the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime and bring them to justice. We also call on perpetrators of such evil activities to desist from such criminal acts and respect the sanctity of human life.”

Fear grips students of CHT, Enugu over abduction of 3

Meanwhile, there is palpable fear at the Enugu State College of Health Technology, Oji River, following earlier abduction of three students of the college on Wednesday.

Recall that criminal elements suspected to be killer herdsmen had stormed the students’ halls of residence at about 7 pm last Wednesday and abducted the students unhindered.

A student of the college who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident, claiming that students of the college were vacating the halls of residence for fear of the unknown.

“We are looking for three of our fellow students. They are not taking their calls yet. The kidnappers shot sporadically into the air before gaining entrance into the hostels. There was pandemonium, following the sporadic gunshots as everybody scampered for safety,” the source said.

As at press time, the suspected kidnappers have not contacted the relatives of the victims for ransom.

Vanguard gathered that there had been unhindered movement of cattle by herders suspected to be Fulani bandits who masquerade as herdsmen around the porous school premises.

Reacting to the abduction, National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, urged the heads of security agencies in the state to intensify their efforts towards rescuing the kidnapped students.

A statement by Comrade Prisca Okeke, NANS’ JCC Chairman, Enugu State said: “Heads of security agencies should ensure maximum provision of security around all campuses, especially those in the rural areas.

“We call on the executive governor of Enugu State for urgent intervention in the affected school, ESCOHTECH, as we have severally made a case for improvement in the environmental condition of this institution, especially by providing a fence around the school compound to help properly manage entry and exit.’’

Confirming the incident weekend, spokesman of Enugu State police command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the “command wishes to inform the public that the viral video alleging that a countless number of students were kidnapped at the Enugu State College of Health Technology Oji-River is false and an act of mischief and misinformation aimed at misleading and creating panic among unsuspecting citizens.

“Contrary to the spurious narrative in the viral video, in the evening hours of August 15, 2024, police operatives at Oji-River Division of the command received information alleging an act of abduction around the said college.

‘’They immediately hastened to the scene, rescuing two of the victims allegedly abducted, while three others are yet-to-be found.

“However, vigorous operations are ongoing to locate and rescue them, as well as apprehend the abductors.

“A preliminary investigation proves that the victims were driving out of the college when the seemingly targeted incident occurred.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the operatives to ensure that the missing victims are found and rescued, while also arresting the perpetrators.’’