On Saturday, more information about how security personnel freed the twenty kidnapped medical students and seven others in Benue State surfaced.
According to information obtained by Sunday PUNCH, a member of the Department of State Services, members of the military, and law enforcement shot and killed one of the alleged kidnappers. There were two individuals taken into custody.
The 20 students were abducted by bandits while they were heading to Enugu for the annual conference of the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students. They are students from the Universities of Maiduguri and Jos.
Following the uproar caused by their kidnapping, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun ordered the deployment of tactical personnel and equipment, such as helicopters, drones, and tactical vehicles, in order to guarantee the quick rescue of the victim.
The crew used both air and ground resources to track the location where the pupils were discovered, according to one of the rescue operation’s officers.
“The National Security Adviser in Abuja coordinated the operation,” the insider claimed. In the vicinity of Ajide Forest in Ukwonyo Council Ward, Ado LGA, Benue State, the abducted medical students were found.
“You will notice that some police, DSS, and military personnel have been stationed recently, and that some helicopters have been hovering around.”
Fortunately, we managed to secure the location on Friday even though the kidnappers attempted to hide among the victims. However, they were under intense pressure as they attempted to flee, and two of them were captured and one was neutralised in the process.
The story was confirmed by another source, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH and said the pupils were sent straight to Abuja.
He continued, “They ought to be reunited with their loved ones by Monday or Tuesday.”
The 20 medical students were brought to the National Intelligence Agency clinic for treatment, Sunday PUNCH was informed.
According to a source, the pupils were receiving medical examinations along with several youth corps members who had just been freed from captivity.
“After their harrowing ordeal at the hands of their abductors, the rescued students were brought to the NIA complex where they are undergoing medical screening,” the source stated.
No ransom was paid, according to Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, who verified the rescue on Friday night. They were rescued “tactically and professionally,” he said.
“We confirm the release of our brothers and sisters and a few other Nigerians who were held captive in the Ntunkon forest, Benue State, since Friday, August 23, 2024, without any ransom being paid,” he declared. No kobo was paid to release them, despite some unverified rumours and tweets claiming otherwise. We applaud the dedication and tenacity of the ONSA, the residents, and the security services.
We had lost hope – Parents
Following the rescue, Mr. Donald Fagar’s parents and his wife, Cecilia, expressed their belief that there was no more hope.
Kingsley, their son, would be passing through the shadow of death for the second time, according to Fagar, who also mentioned that each time he narrowly avoided death.
The parents claim that on August 15, 2022, amid a religious crisis, thugs attacked and hurt the 500-level medical student at the University of Jos.
“I give God all the glory today because my son is going to go through this trauma twice,” Cecilia stated.
Kingsley came dangerously close to death on August 15, two years ago. Again, this incident occurred on August 15, therefore his release is only possible by divine intervention.
“Since learning about the release, I’ve been getting calls from friends, family, and neighbours congratulating us on our impending son’s arrival home.”
“My son called me and said they were being taken to Abuja. He complained that his two legs were swollen from walking through the bush with the kidnappers and not having anywhere to sleep, and that they were soaked every time it rained.” she continued.
Sympathisers visit student’s home
Scores of sympathisers and well-wishers on Saturday thronged the Kukumu home of Paul Shantong, one of the 20 abducted university students who regained their freedom on Friday night.
One of the well-wishers, Hanatu Gyang, who said she and her family had been traumatised by the news of the sudden disappearance of Paul, described his release as a great relief.
Gyang said, “I’m a neighbour to Paul Shantong. Paul has a twin sibling and they are just two that his parents gave birth to. Since the news of his abduction filtered into this community, it was as if somebody died. It’s really a big relief to some of us because the thought of losing him, a medical student, to kidnappers, was unbearable.”
Another well-wisher, John Philip, said he and his two brothers visited Paul’s family to celebrate with them.
Paul’s mother, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed joy over her son’s release while thanking God for answered prayers.
She said, “I don’t know how to thank God for ensuring the freedom of my son and his colleagues. It was really a very bad experience for us during the period of his captivity; but we thank God for everything.
“I have not seen him because they were taken to Abuja before they will be released to rejoin their parents, but I spoke with him this morning, and he confirmed to me that indeed, he is no more with the kidnappers. I give God the glory for what he has done.”
UNIMAID students celebrate
Also, students of the University of Maiduguri expressed joy over the release of their eight colleagues, who were abducted alongside 12 students from the University of Jos.
The President of the Student Union Government of the institution, Muhammad Bello, said the rescue was a relief to the student community.
“We feel the essence of hope and renewed faith in the power of collaborative action,” he added.
On his part, the President of the University of Maiduguri Medical and Dental Students Association, Yakubu Abdul, said the student community was overjoyed upon the receipt of the news on Friday night.
He said, “Our students have been celebrating on social media and even physically. We are hopeful and can’t wait for them to be returned to us as soon as possible to continue with their academic programmes. We remain grateful to the security agencies and the Nigerian government for attending to our pleas and our cries.”
Similarly, a 400-level student from the Department of Petrochemical Engineering of the institution, Qanisat Musa, commended the security agencies and the government for exhibiting proactiveness and professionalism towards the safe return of their colleagues.