Parents of a freed abducted medical student in Benue State have expressed appreciation to the federal and state governments for coming to their aid and rescuing their children unhurt.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The 20 medical students including their House Officer from the University of Jos and University of Maiduguri were kidnapped last week Thursday, August 15, 2024, in Otukpo area of Benue State while on their way to Enugu to attend their students’ annual convention.
They were rescued Friday night, August 23, 2024, after spending nine days in captivity.
Father of one of the freed students, Mr Kwaghaondo Fagar and his wife Cecilia, while appreciating God for the rescue, called on the federal government to assist the victims with psychosocial support to enable them recover from the traumatic experience and prepare them to return to their schools.
Mr Fagar thanked the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Army, Police, DSS and other security agencies expressing joy that they were rescued before the kidnappers could start carrying out their threats of killing them.
He told newsmen in his Makurdi residence that the kidnapping was the second near-death experience his son, Kingsley Kwaghaondoa, a 500 level medical students of Unijos, had seen in the last two years.
He narrated that in 2022, on the same August 15th, his son almost lost his life when he was attacked and wounded in Jos by hoodlums during a religious crisis.
He said: “I am grateful today and I thank everyone; the NSA, the Police IG, the Army and all other security operatives for releasing all the victims and I pray God to continue to protect them.”
Also speaking, his wife, Mrs Cecilia Fagar, mother of Kinsley Kwaghaondona, who corroborated the husband’s statement, appealed to the federal government and the security agencies to extend same measures to rescue other kidnapped victims in captivity.
She stated that they could now heave a sigh of relief as Nigeria has happened to her for the first time.
Her words: “Since the news of the release I have been receiving phone calls from friends, family members, neighbours, congratulating us. We are looking forward to welcoming our son home anytime soon. This morning, my son called me that they were taking them to Abuja by men in military uniform, but complained that his two legs were swollen from trekking from one location to the other as the kidnappers led them all through the bush. He said they had nowhere to sleep as the rains were also falling on them anytime it rained. I’m happy that he is safe.”
Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, when contacted for comments said she was yet to get details on their rescue.
She appealed to journalists to wait for the team to bring up details when they are ready.
