Twenty medical students and one house officer from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos who were abducted in Benue State last week have been rescued by security forces, according to security sources.
The coordinated rescue operation, which was spearheaded by the office of the National Security Adviser, involved multiple security agencies, including the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and military personnel, with support from the Benue State government.
The students were kidnapped along the Otukpo-Enugu federal highway in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State while en route to Enugu State to attend a medical conference.
The daring abduction had sent shockwaves across the nation, intensifying concerns about security along Nigeria’s highways.
A security source involved in the operation disclosed that the successful rescue was the result of meticulous planning and collaboration among the various agencies.
“The rescue mission was a high-stakes operation, but the synergy among the security forces and the swift support from the Benue State government were instrumental in ensuring the safe recovery of all the victims,” the source stated.
Details about the condition of the rescued individuals and the circumstances of their abduction remain scarce, but further information is expected as the investigation continues.
The swift response by the security forces has been widely praised, particularly given the increasing concerns about the safety of students and other travelers on Nigeria’s roads.
