The Nigeria Police have reportedly deployed helicopters in a concerted effort to rescue medical students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, who were abducted along the Otukpo-Enugu Highway about a week ago.
Following the kidnapping of 20 medical students and one house officer, authorities have been fully engaged in efforts to locate and rescue them.
On Friday, a police helicopter was spotted in Otukpo and Makurdi, indicating a ramped-up effort by the Police Tactical Team from Force Headquarters.
However, no significant progress has been reported yet. SP Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, informed journalists in Makurdi on Friday that there were no new updates, but assured that the police team continues to work diligently on the case.
She emphasized that the tactical squad, dispatched to the state by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, in coordination with local officers, has intensified and doubled their efforts to ensure the safe rescue of all the kidnapped students.
Since Tuesday, surveillance helicopters have been actively patrolling the skies over the Otukpo axis and surrounding local government areas, including Ado, Ohimini, Apa, Oju, and Ogbadibo.
The helicopters have been thoroughly searching the forests, scouring every possible hideout.
The Commissioner of Police for Benue State, CP Yabanet, has relocated to Benue South with his team from Makurdi to oversee the rescue operation.
Last Saturday, the kidnappers demanded a N50 million ransom for the release of the medical students, a claim the police have denied knowledge of.
Meanwhile, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, the father of one of the abducted students, who initially used his phone to alert the public about the ransom demand through a post on his X account, has pleaded with the kidnappers to release his son unharmed.
Kwaghaondona Fagar, a retired civil servant, made the appeal from his residence in Makurdi.
“Most parents are going through economic challenges, and it will be difficult to raise the N50 million ransom,” Fagar said.
“Since January 17, 2013, when I retired from the state civil service, I have not received my gratuity except for the monthly pension, which the new administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has started paying.
“I am calling on both the Federal and State Governments and other well-meaning Nigerians to assist the families to secure the freedom of all the affected victims during this trying time before the kidnappers carry out their threat of killing the students one after another,” Fagar added.
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