The Benue State Police Command has announced the release of 20 students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, who were kidnapped by gunmen on August 15.
Sewuese Anene, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the release at 11:15 p.m. on Friday in Makurdi.
The students were abducted in Otukpo while traveling to Enugu for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students Convention. A house officer who accompanied them was also among those kidnapped.
Mr. Anene did not provide further details about the rescue operation but stated: “The victims have been released. Details will be released on Saturday, please.”
This development came five days after Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun deployed a tactical squad to Benue State and instructed the Commissioner of Police in Benue to relocate to Otukpo.
The rescue operation was carried out by a combined team of security operatives coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
