THE NAMES of all the medical students of both the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) who were abducted Thursday evening in Benue State along Otukpo-Enugu highway have been made public.
The students were on their way to attend the annual conference of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) holding at the Enugu State University of Technology scheduled for this weekend.
Statements from Benue Medical Students Association (BEMSA) and University of Maiduguri Medical and Dental Students Association (UMMESA) offered details of what transpired prior to and after the abduction.
The statements also made public the list of abductees, which confirm that 18 students were kidnapped while also indicating that two others who were not students fell victim, raising the number of those kidnapped to 20.
UMMESA, in a press release signed by its Secretary General, Abass Omotiti, said 8 students of UNIMAID were involved, with 4 students being medical students.
“This is to inform you that a grave and urgent situation involving eight students from the University of Maiduguri, including four of our valued UMMESA members. These students were travelling to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FCMDS) Annual Convention in Enugu State when they were allegedly abducted along the Otukpo (Benue)-Enugu road.
“The students affected are:
- Boniface Tizhe, a 500-level MBBS student
- Thomas Yahaya, also a 500-level MBBS student
- Fortune Umeh, a 500-level MBBS student
- Godwin Tumba, a 500-level MBBS student
- Iweve Gabriel Jita, a 300-level MBBS student
- Boniface Okon, a 300-level MBBS student
- Dondo Fabian, a 300-level medical laboratory student
- John Bitrus, a 200-level Nursing student.
“The students left the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) on the morning of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, and travelled to the University of Jos, where they spent the night. The following morning, August 15, 2024, they continued their journey, joining 10 students from the University of Jos, making a total of 18 students in their group. Their last communication occurred around 3:24Pm on August 15, after which contact was lost.
“The situation requires our immediate and collective action. I urge each of you to help spread this information widely as we engage the school authorities, law enforcement agencies to ensure that all necessary measures are being taken to secure the students’ safe return.
“We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. For any immediate concerns or if you have any relevant information, please contact us immediately. Let us unite in strength and solidarity to address this crisis and work towards the safe return of our fellow students.”
In its press release, BEMSA, narrated the timelines, noting the trip from Maiduguri by the students of UNIMAID on 14th August to Jos where they teamed up with their counterparts in Jos and up to the point of abduction.
BEMSA also gave the comprehensive list of the abductees, numbering 20, which include:
- Okopi Peter (UNIJOS)
- Enger Benedicta (UNIJOS)
- Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley (UNIJOS)
- Boniface Okon (UNIMAID)
- Dondo Fabian UNIMAID)
- John Bitrus Naga (UNIMAID)
- Fortune Chima Umeh (UNIMAID)
- Godwiin Gregory Tumba (UNIMAID)
- Monica Ejembi (UNIJOS)
- Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka
- Paul Nyampa Zira
- Lawrence Victory Adaugo
- Boniface Tizhe (UNIMAID)
- Gabriel Jita Iwev (UNIMAID)
- Thomas Yahaya (UNIMAID)
- Paul Shantong (UNIJOS)
- Victoria Cornelius (UNIJOS)
- Pius Samson (UNIJOS
- Okan Adara (UNIJOS)
- Dr Luis Mmbamonyeukwu.
Ransom demand made
Meanwhile, multiple sources familiar with the abduction Friday night confided in National Record that the kidnappers Friday afternoon demanded N50 million as ransom for all the abductees.
Our sources, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that the kidnappers made the demand by calling all the parents of the victims as well as the convention organisers, some of whom include Catholic clergy.
The kidnappers were said to have given Saturday, August 17 as deadline for the payment of the ransom, threatening that the amount would be raised daily if parents delay in the payment.
