Gunmen Abduct 20 Nigerian University Students in Benue State Ambush

At least 20 Nigerian university students were abducted by gunmen who ambushed their vehicles in Benue State, north-central Nigeria, on Thursday evening, according to police reports. The students were traveling to a medical students' conference in the southern part of the country when they were attacked along the notorious Otukpo road, a frequent site for such incidents.

Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State police, confirmed the abduction and stated that the attack occurred as the students were en route to the conference. The abducted students are from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, both located in northern Nigeria.

Kidnappings have become increasingly common in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups exploit the limited security presence to carry out attacks on villages and along major roads. Victims of these kidnappings are often released only after paying substantial ransoms, forcing many to avoid road travel due to the heightened risks.

The student groups from the affected universities have condemned the attack and called on authorities to ensure the students' safe return. Ijabani Bajam, a student leader from the University of Maiduguri, expressed deep concern over the situation, describing it as a "senseless act" and urging for the immediate rescue of the abducted students.

As of now, it remains unclear which group was responsible for the attack or where the students were taken. The police have not yet provided any updates regarding rescue efforts, leaving the families and peers of the victims in a state of anxious uncertainty.

This incident underscores the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s northern regions, where the threat of kidnappings and violence continues to disrupt daily life and impose a heavy toll on communities. The abduction of the students is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the nation in securing its citizens from the growing menace of armed groups.