The House of Representatives has raised alarm over the recent kidnapping of 20 medical students in Benue State, Nigeria, and has called for urgent action from security forces to secure their release.
The kidnapped students, including 12 from the University of Jos and eight from the University of Maiduguri, were abducted on Thursday, 15 August 2024, while en route to a conference organized by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students in Enugu.
This troubling incident has caused widespread concern throughout Nigeria.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed its worry over the fate of these young students, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention by the police and other security agencies.
Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has underscored the critical importance of protecting students, noting that they are the future of the nation and vital to the country’s healthcare development.
In a statement released on Saturday, the House of Representatives, through its spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, echoed the concerns of the NMA and NANS, urging the Inspector-General of Police and other security operatives to act swiftly to secure the safe return of the abducted students.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, Dennis Idahosa, spoke on the gravity of the situation, noting that the safety of medical students is essential not just for their future but also for the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The House pledged its continued support for initiatives aimed at improving the security and safety of all Nigerians and assured that it would closely monitor the situation until the students are safely returned to their families.
