The release of twenty medical students and other people kidnapped in Benue State has been announced by the Nigeria Police Force.
The victims, who were being held in the Ntunkon forest in the ADO Local Government Area of Benue state, were freed on Friday with the help of the office of the National Security Adviser without having to pay a ransom, according to a statement signed on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
Three helicopters were utilized for the operation, a verified source told News men, saying some suspects were neutralized while others were apprehended.
Recall that the medical students and their accompanying doctors were kidnapped on Thursday the 15th of August while on their way to a medical convention.
The statement said, “Without any ransom paid. Contrary to some tweets and unconfirmed stories that some money was paid. No kobo was paid to release them. They were actually rescued tactically and professionally.
“We commend the security agencies, locals, and ONSA for their commitment and resilience.”
News of the abduction of the students hit the media space last Friday, attracting reactions from Nigerians who condemned the rising rate of kidnapping in the country.
A few days after their abduction, their captors had established contact with the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦50 million to secure the release of their hostages.
