Breaking: Over 20 Medical Students Kidnapped by Gunmen in Benue State**

**Breaking: Over 20 Medical Students Kidnapped by Gunmen in Benue State**

In Benue State, more than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, have been abducted by gunmen. The students were on their way to the annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5:30 p.m. in the Otukpo area, according to Vanguard reports. The kidnapped students are reportedly from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos.

The Benue State Police Command's spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the abduction, stating that an investigation is currently underway. "Yes, the kidnapping report is true. It was received between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and an investigation is ongoing," she said. As of Friday, no official demands for ransom or conditions for their release had been made.

Kidnappings have become increasingly common in Benue and other parts of Nigeria, with the state frequently experiencing abductions that have left communities in a state of fear and insecurity. In May, two female students from Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture, Makurdi, were kidnapped by gunmen. In July, gunmen abducted three staff members, including Dr. Emmanuel Barki, the acting Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, and demanded a N70 million ransom. Additionally, ten people were reportedly kidnapped in March at the Taraba/Benue border community in Jootar, Ukum Local Government Area.

This alarming trend is part of a broader increase in kidnapping incidents across Nigeria, where criminal groups often target individuals and groups for ransom. The rise in such activities highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect citizens and address the root causes fueling this wave of criminality.