The names of twenty medical students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, who were kidnapped by gunmen, have been revealed.
The students were abducted while traveling to Enugu State.
Among the kidnapped are eight members of the University of Maiduguri Medical Students Association (UMMESA) who were on their way to attend the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FCMDS) Annual Convention.
The group started their journey on the morning of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). They stopped overnight at the University of Jos and continued their journey the next morning, August 15, 2024.
The group, which now included ten students from the University of Jos, had grown to a total of 18 individuals. Their last known contact was at 3:24 PM on August 15, 2024, after which communication was lost. The abduction reportedly took place along the Otukpo (Benue) – Enugu road, a common route for travelers between the two states.
The missing students are:
1. Boniface Tizhe, 500-level MBBS student
2. Thomas Yahaya, 500-level MBBS student
3. Fortune Umeh, 500-level MBBS student
4. Godwin Tumba, 500-level MBBS student
5. Iwev Gabriel Jita, 300-level MBBS student
6. Boniface Okon, 300-level MBBS student
7. Dondo Fabian, 300-level Medical Laboratory student
8. John Bitrus, 200-level Nursing student
9. Monica Ejembi
10. Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka
11. Paul Nyampa Zira
12. Lawrence Victory Adaugo
13. Okopi Pete
14. Enger Benedicta
15. Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley
16. Paul Shantong
17. Victoria Cornelius
18. Pius Samson
19. Okan Adara
20. Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation into the abduction has begun.
