Dread has gripped Nigeria after 20 medical students – including a house officer – were abducted on Thursday, Aug 15. while travelling to Enugu, Southeast Nigeria, for a national conference.

The Universities of Jos and Maiduguri students were on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention when they were seized on the Otukpo-Enugu road in North-central Nigeria. 

An official from the Jos University Medical Students’ Association told HumAngle that he received a Snapchat message from his friend, one of the abducted students, at around 2 p.m., which he viewed an hour later. However, shortly after, communication with the group was lost, and an SOS message from one of the students on the bus was received in a WhatsApp group.

The students who received the SOS tracked the sender’s phone number to a location near Otukpo in Benue State. Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the incident to HumAngle and stated that investigations were ongoing.

Multiple sources who spoke to HumAngle said on Friday, Aug. 16, the students’ families received a ransom demand of ₦50 million. The figure was later confirmed in a distress call on X/Twitter via the account of one of the captives, Kingsley Aondona.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a major security crisis in Nigeria, fuelling terrorism. According to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, it’s one of the largest sources of funding for terrorist groups. The problem is so severe that families often turn to crowdfunding to raise ransoms, a widespread trend that even a former top government official has contributed to such a campaign. 

Between July 2022 and June 2023, there were 582 reported kidnapping incidents involving 3,620 people across Nigeria. According to SBM Intelligence, at least ₦302 million was paid in ransom during this period. Travellers are frequent targets.

In a statement on Friday, Abass Omotiti, Secretary General of the University of Maiduguri Medical Students’ Association (UMMESA), said eight students left Maiduguri in North East Nigeria on Wednesday morning, 14 August. They spent the night with their peers from the University of Jos in North-central Nigeria. Then, on Thursday morning, they embarked on their journey before the unfortunate incident occurred.

“We understand the gravity of the situation and urge the public to remain calm as we work closely with relevant authorities to ensure their safe and swift return,” said Moses Onwubuya, the National President of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the affected families. “We share in your pain and anguish during this difficult time,” said Dr El-Yakub Yakubu Mohammed, NMA Borno State Chairman.

The NMA has called for enhanced security measures to protect students and citizens nationwide, emphasising the need for immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.

Here are the names of the affected students as published by the Benue Medical Students Association (BEMSA) on Thursday, Aug. 16: 

University of Jos:

1. Okopi Peter
2. Enger Benedicta 
3. Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley 
4. Monica Ejembi 
5. Paul Shantong 
6. Victoria Cornelius 
7. Pius Samson 
8. Okan Adara
9. Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka
10. Paul Nyampa Zira
11. Lawrence Victory Adaugo
12. Dr Luis Mmbamonyeukwu (House Officer, Jos University Teaching Hospital)

University of Maiduguri:

1. Boniface Okon 
2. Dondo Fabian 
3. John Bitrus Naga 
4. Fortune Chima Umeh 
5. Godwin Gregory Tumba
6. Boniface Tizhe
7. Gabriel Jita Iwev
8. Thomas Yahaya