The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has urgently called for the immediate and unconditional release of 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, who were kidnapped on Thursday evening in Benue State. The students were en route to Enugu State for the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) when they were abducted by gunmen in Otukpo.
In a statement issued on its X handle @Fmohnigeria and signed by Assistant Director (Information & PR), Ado Bako, the Ministry condemned the abduction as a severe setback to Nigeria’s healthcare system. The Ministry stressed the need for a secure environment for healthcare professionals to operate without fear of violence.
The statement, dated August 17, 2024, and titled “The Kidnapping of Medical Students in Benue,” reads: “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is deeply saddened and concerned about the recent kidnapping of approximately 20 medical students and a house officer by bandits in Benue State. This unfortunate incident underscores the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and students in Nigeria.”
The Ministry strongly condemned the act of violence and demanded the immediate release of the abducted students. It urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“The kidnapping of medical students represents a setback to our efforts to bolster the healthcare workforce,” the statement added. “It is crucial to create a safe environment for healthcare professionals to perform their duties without fear of violence.”
The Ministry also expressed solidarity with the families of the kidnapped students and vowed to take decisive actions to protect the lives and well-being of healthcare workers and students across the country. It pledged to monitor the situation closely and implement measures to ensure their safety and security.
