How We Rescued 20 Kidnapped Medical Students In Benue Without Ransom Pay - IGP ~ OsazuwaAkonedo #Adeolu #Benue #Egbetokun #Enugu #FECAMDS #Igp #Jos #Kayode #Maiduguri #news #NSA #Otukpo #VC https://osazuwaakonedo.online/how-we-rescued-20-kidnapped-medical-students-in-benue-without-ransom-pay-igp/26/08/2024/ #Nigeria Police Force Published: August 26th, 2024 Reshared: August 26, 2024 12:55 pm Nigeria Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has said that no
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Nigeria Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has said that no single amount of
00:06money was paid as ransom to secure the release of the 20 kidnapped medical students in Benue
00:11State, adding, the students were rescued through coordinated security operations.
00:17The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Sunday, said a notorious kidnapped Kingpin
00:24was killed and two abductors arrested during the operation to rescue the 20 medical students
00:30in Benue State.
00:32The students who are from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jaws were
00:36traveling to Enugu for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students' annual convention
00:42when they were kidnapped on August 15 at a location in Benue State.
00:47Speaking while handing over the students to their vice chancellors, as reported by Punch
00:52Newspaper, Egbetokun said that the arrested suspects were in custody.
00:58He also said contrary to speculations, the students were rescued without paying any ransom.
01:04Egbetokun said, this success was made possible through the support received from the Office
01:10of the NSA, the activation of the security network, intelligence, synergy with other
01:16security agencies, community engagement, and deployment of our highly skilled and tactical
01:22officers whose dedication, bravery, and precision in executing their duties are truly commendable.
01:30During the operation, our officers engaged the kidnappers in a well-coordinated tactical
01:35offensive.
01:36I am pleased to inform you that the Kingpin of this notorious gang was neutralized during
01:41an exchange of fire with our operatives while two other members of the gang were arrested
01:46and their weapons recovered.
01:49These individuals are currently in our custody where they are providing valuable information
01:54that will help us dismantle their criminal network and prevent future occurrences of
01:59such abductions.
02:01I also wish to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of other security agencies who
02:06partnered with us, as well as the local vigilantes who played a crucial role in ensuring the
02:11success of this mission.
02:14This success is a demonstration of what can be achieved when we work together towards
02:19a common goal.
02:20We remain resolute in our commitment to rid our nation of criminal elements who seek to
02:25disrupt the peace and security of our society.
02:29The Nigerian Police Force will continue to employ everything at its disposal to protect
02:34the lives and property of all Nigerians.
02:38We are strongly determined to ensure that those who choose to engage in criminal activities
02:43are brought to justice.
02:45As we continue to advance our efforts in combating crime across the country, I assure you that
02:51we will remain vigilant, proactive, and relentless in our pursuit of a safer Nigeria where the
02:57security of every Nigerian and resident in our great country is our top priority.
03:03And we will not rest until every citizen can go about their daily lives free from fear
03:09and intimidation.
03:11To those who are still in captivity and to their family members, they should not lose
03:16hope.
03:17If we can achieve this, then we can resolve all other kidnap cases that are still pending.
03:24Those that are still in captivity of kidnappers, there is hope that they will soon be rescued.
03:30So we have reached that point now that things will now start going back.
03:35It has gone up, it will now start declining.
03:38So that's the point that we are at now.
03:41The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaws, Professor Tanko Ishaya, pledged to offer psychosocial
03:48support to the rescued students.
03:51As a university, we have already arranged and prepared that as soon as you hand over
03:56these students to us, we are going to count them somewhere where we are going to provide
04:01counselling, guidance, and counselling before they are reintegrated back into the society.
04:07We may assume that they are not going through any trauma because they are looking very unhealthy,
04:13but we believe that they require a kind of guidance, particularly counselling, that will
04:19make them overcome the trauma and the experience that they have had, he said.
04:24Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, urged the students not to be discouraged by their
04:30abduction.
04:32Represented by the State's Commissioner for Finance, Michael Ogleba, the governor urged
04:37the students to demonstrate that the resources invested by the country to secure their release
04:42were not in vain.
04:44He said, despite what has happened to you, go and be successful.
04:50Prove that Nigeria has not spoiled its best to save you for nothing.
04:54Be there for the country.
04:56To the parents who stood and prayed with us throughout, thank you.
05:01The whole country, we were all awake, praying for you.
05:06So please prove Nigeria right by being the best you can, the best doctors, the best whatever
05:12it is you're studying.
05:14And the rest of the police, thank you.
05:17Things have taken a turn for the better with the coming of this present government.
05:22If you notice, the industrial skunk killings that used to happen in Benue have been reduced
05:28to a minimum.
05:29We're not there yet, but we're moving towards that place.
05:33Speaking on behalf of the parents, John Enger said they were initially scared because of
05:39past kidnapping incidents in the country.
05:42Saying, we were desperate as parents.
05:45Anxiety was everywhere.
05:47We had these challenges.
05:49The VC encouraged us.
05:51But you see, we were afraid.
05:53We were afraid because of the past experiences.
05:57That's why we went all the way.
05:59Most of us, most of us had the money to pay a ransom, but we thank you sincerely.
06:05All our children are here safe.
06:08We are very grateful to the president, to the NSA and everybody.
06:13Thereafter, IJP handed over the rescued medical students to their vice chancellors.
06:19On Friday night, Benue's third police command has confirmed the release of the 20 students
06:25from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jaws, who were abducted by gunmen in Benue
06:31State last week Thursday.
06:33The police public relations officer, SP Catherine Anin, disclosed the news of their release
06:40on Friday night at about 11 p.m., according to media reports.
06:45The police image maker disclosed the information through a text message that the kidnapped
06:50victims have been rescued promising to give details following day.
06:55The release is coming barely five days after the inspector general of Nigeria, IJP, Kayode
07:01Egbetukun, deployed his tactical squad to the Benue State and relocated the state commissioner
07:07of police, CP Yabanet, to Otupu local government area to rescue the abducted students.
07:14We had reported that the Nigeria inspector general of police, IJP, has ordered the deployment
07:20of helicopters, drones and other sophisticated weapons to Benue State after one of the 20
07:26doctors and medical students kidnapped at Otupu community on Thursday evening.
07:30Kingsley Aondona tweeted on Friday from captivity that the kidnappers threatened to start killing
07:35them next day if their demands are not met.
07:39Kingsley Aondona in a recent tweet, said that the kidnappers demanded the sum of 50 million
07:45nairas for them, the 20 doctors to be released.
07:49It was gathered that the students were traveling to the Federation of Catholic Medical and
07:53Dental Students, FECAMDS, annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5.30
08:00p.m. in the Otupu area, according to Vanguard's report.
08:05One of the victims, Kingsley Aondona, in a two-separate tweet, he tagged the Nigerian
08:10Doctors Association verified social media page on Friday, said thus, We were kidnapped
08:17on our way to Enugu for a convention.
08:20At Nigerian underscore doctor, they are requesting for 50 million for 20 of us medical students.
08:27Please help us and we haven't eaten for two days, or 816-3420157 piles, that is who we
08:35are gathering.
08:37The money with, they said they will start killing us tomorrow.
08:41The victims are said to be from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jaws.
08:47The IGP in a new statement made available by the first spokesperson, Oluwiwa Adejebi,
08:54said as stated below excerpt, The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Emitukun,
09:01has condemned the kidnapping of 20 medical students who were abducted in Otupu, Benue
09:06State, while en route to the annual convention of the Federation of Catholic Medical and
09:11Dental Students in Enugu.
09:13This reprehensible act is truly appalling, callous, and unacceptable.
09:18In a display of unwavering commitment to the rescue, safety, and well-being of the young
09:24Nigerians, the IGP has ordered the prompt deployment of a substantial number of human
09:30and technical resources to augment the manpower of the Benue State Command and ensure swift
09:36rescue of our beloved students.
09:38This initiative encompasses the mobilization of additional tactical units from the FID
09:43STS and FID IIT, the deployment of advanced helicopters and drones, as well as the use
09:50of specialized tactical vehicles to facilitate the search and secure the safe return of the
09:55victims.
09:56The Nigeria Police Force stands with the victims and their loved ones during this challenging
10:01time, and we are committed to ensuring the safe return of the students.
10:07The Inspector General of Police reiterates the zeal of the force to leave no stone unturned
10:11in the pursuit of the perpetrators and others alike, as the Nigeria Police Force is determined
10:17to sustain the fight against crimes and criminality, most especially kidnapping of Nigerians.
10:24The IGP equally appeals to the general public to provide useful information and actionable
10:29intelligence that may aid the ongoing investigation and the rescue operation.
10:35Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or the
10:40State Command Control Numba or the force headquarters via Press for Abuja at police.gov.ng and other
10:47helplines.
10:49The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to protect the lives and property
10:54of all Nigerians, and it will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace, stability,
11:00and the rule of law throughout the country, the police stated.
11:05A statement posted on the ex-social media with the username NIGERIAN__DRY reacting to
11:11the kidnapping of the 20 students, reads full dose.
11:15In my new country, a friend told me that a matter once arose and the medical association
11:21said, get ready.
11:23We may all need to tender our resignation letters, if no good response from government.
11:29Nigeria, 26 doctors and doctors in training are kidnapped and the wheels keep turning
11:35without a pause.
11:37Everyone keeps turning up at work, unbothered.
11:40No strike warning, no strong stance, two weeks NARD warning moved by another two weeks, with
11:48a silly excuse.
11:50NMA is quiet like a mouse, lol, just spineless letters and photo ops that no one gives a
11:57shit about.
11:581.
11:59On August 15, 2024, 20 Nigerian doctors and doctors in training were kidnapped in Benue
12:06State, Nigeria.
12:07They are yet to be released.
12:102.
12:11June 23, 2024, Dr. Gimba and his wife and kids were kidnapped in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
12:20Their 15-year-old son, Victor, was killed before the rest of the family was released.
12:253.
12:26Seven months ago, Dr. Ganiyat Olawole Popola and young Folaranu were kidnapped in Kaduna,
12:33Nigeria, December 27, 2023.
12:37They are yet to be released till now.
12:404.
12:41Professor Ekane M. Ifrem was kidnapped over one year ago, July 13, 2023, at Kalaba, Cross
12:47Rivers State, Nigeria.
12:49And her whereabouts remain unknown.
12:525.
12:53This year, three other doctors have been kidnapped but were released, under unclear terms and
12:58conditions.
12:59If a culture that typically avoids confrontations, still rises up, what is the excuse of?
13:07A more resilient culture who are descendants of fierce warriors.
13:11It is shameful.
13:13It is embarrassing.
13:14Our 21 colleagues are human beings like you and I.
13:18They deserve better from us.
13:20Say their names.
13:211.
13:22Boniface Taize
13:232.
13:24Thomas Yahaya
13:253.
13:26Gabriel Jeter Iweif
13:274.
13:28Boniface Okon
13:295.
13:30Dondo Fabian
13:316.
13:32John Beatrice Naga
13:337.
13:34Fortune Chima Umei
13:358.
13:36Godwin Gregory Tubba
13:379.
13:38Monica Ejembe
13:3910.
13:40Obonna George Chukwebuka
13:4111.
13:42Paul Inyampazira
13:4312.
13:44Lawrence Victory Adogu
13:4513.
13:46Okopi Peter
13:4714.
13:48Enga Benedicta
13:4915.
13:50Kwagando Aondona Kingsley
13:5116.
13:52Paul Shantung
13:5317.
13:54Victoria Cornelius
13:5518.
13:56Pius Samson
13:5719.
13:58Okan Adara
13:5920.
14:00Dr. Louis M.M.
14:01Bamunuku
14:0221.
14:03Dr. Gania Olawole Popola and Yung Folaranmu
14:0422.
14:05Professor Ekanem Ifrem
14:0623.
14:07Dr. M.M.
14:08Bambunuku
14:0924.
14:10Dr. M.M.
14:11Bambunuku
14:1225.
14:13Dr. M.M.
14:14Bambunuku
14:1526.
14:16Dr. M.M.
14:17Bambunuku
14:1827.
14:19Dr. M.M.
14:20Bambunuku
14:2128.
14:22Dr. M.M.
14:23Bambunuku
14:2429.
14:25Dr. M.M.
14:26Bambunuku
14:2730.
14:28Dr. M.M.
14:29Bambunuku
14:3031.
14:31Dr. M.M.
14:32Bambunuku
14:3332.
14:34Dr. M.M.
14:35Bambunuku
14:3633.
14:37Dr. M.M.
14:38Bambunuku
14:3934.
14:40Dr. M.M.
14:41Bambunuku
14:4235.
14:43Dr. M.M.