By Damilare Adeleye
The 20 medical students, who were abducted by gunmen in Benue State, have regained their freedom.
It was learnt that the rescue operation leading to their release was coordinated by the office of the National Security Adviser headed by Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.
Security agencies – the police, DSS and military personnel and equipment were involved in the operation, with the support of the Benue State government.
Though the student have regained their freedom, details of the rescue operation are still sketchy at the moment.
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.
It was reported the medical and dental students and a House Officer were kidnapped while going to participate in the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu.
The victims were said to be on their way to Enugu State, passing through the Otukpo Local Government area in Benue before they encountered bandits.
The students were said to be travelling in a convoy of two buses and were coming from the northern part of the country when they ran into the ambush on Thursday evening at about 5:30 pm.
A few days after their abduction, their captors had established contact with the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N50 million to secure the release of their hostages.
It was not clear if any ransom was paid for their release.