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20 University Students Abducted in Benue State While En Route to Medical Convention

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20 University Students Abducted in Benue State While En Route to Medical Convention

By: Zagazola Makama

In a troubling development, 20 students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos have been reportedly abducted while traveling to Enugu State.

Among the kidnapped students are eight members of the University of Maiduguri Medical Students Association (UMMESA) who were en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FCMDS) Annual Convention.

The students began their journey on the morning of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, departing from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). They made an overnight stop at the University of Jos and continued their journey the next morning, August 15, 2024. The group, now joined by 10 students from the University of Jos, totaled 18 individuals. Their last known communication was at 3:24 PM on August 15, 2024, after which contact was lost.

The abduction reportedly occurred along the Otukpo (Benue) – Enugu road, a known route for travelers between the two states. The missing students include:

  1. Boniface Tizhe 500-level MBBS student
  2. Thomas Yahaya,500-level MBBS student
  3. Fortune Umeh,500-level MBBS student
  4. Godwin Tumba,500-level MBBS student
  5. Iwev Gabriel Jita,300-level MBBS student
  6. Boniface Okon,300-level MBBS student
  7. Dondo Fabian,300-level Medical Laboratory student
  8. John Bitrus, 200-level Nursing student
  9. Monica Ejembi
  10. Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka
  11. Paul Nyampa Zira
  12. Lawrence Victory Adaugo
  13. Okopi Pete
  14. Enger Benedicta
  15. Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley
  16. Paul Shantong
  17. Victoria Cornelius
  18. Pius Samson
  19. Okan Adara
  20. Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu

This alarming situation has prompted immediate action from university authorities, law enforcement agencies, and concerned stakeholders. The students’ families and the wider academic community are anxiously awaiting further developments as efforts are being made to secure their safe return.

20 University Students Abducted in Benue State While En Route to Medical Convention

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NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

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NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has commenced a major onslaught against organized human traffcking criminal gang in the country as its operatives have arrested two Abuja based high profile figures suspected to be the arrowhead of a trans border human trafficking syndicate operating within the West African and Gulf of Guninea regions.

According to a press statement signed by the agency press officer, Vincent Adekoye on Thursday, the suspects Emmanuel Igwe (32 years old) and Ugochukwu Christian (30 Years old) were mentioned by some of the human trafficking victims who are presently stranded in Côte d’ d’Ivoire during their conversation with the popular human rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as the VeryDarkMan (VDM), thereby prompting his intervention and subsequent visit to the Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja.

Adekoye said the suspects were arrested inside their sprawling mansion, which is located in one of the popular estates in the Lugbe Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that the tastefully furnished mansion equiped with various devices also serves as the Command Base and Residence for the gang.

He said during the operation led by the head of operations of the agency, which lasted several hours due to the high-tech facilities of the smart house that hinder free access, two suspected victims of human trafficking were also rescued.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were recruited by the suspects, subjected to an oath of secrecy already, and were undergoing marathonic sexual orientation from the suspects as they were stalked naked and in sexual romp when operatives burst into their rooms

Speaking with the operatives after the rescue, one of the victims (name withheld) disclosed that they were recruited from one of the Eastern States and were promised a highly paid job in a flourishing mall in Ivory Coast.

The victim recalled: “They told me that the Mall will be paying me in foreign currencies and that I will pay them back a total of 2.2 Million Cfas. They already took us to take an oath in one of the shrines located outside Abuja. I did not know, and I cannot recollect the location of the place. But, I know that we travelled for about three hours away from Gwagwalada to the Shrine.”

Adekoye said the arrest of the suspects followed an escalation of conversation and report from the NAPTIP Social Media platforms and subsequent credible intelligence shared by one of the partnering sister security agencies, indicating the location of the suspects.

It would be recalled that VDM had last week, Thursday, visited the Headquarters of NAPTIP to express his concern over the plight of some victims of human trafficking in Côte D’ d’Ivoire and promised to join hands with the Agency to rescue them and also create the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking. He also uploaded additional information through a video post on his handles on the profile of the traffickers.

In reaction to the viral video that exposed their activities, the suspects had called their victims and threatened to unleash terror on them if they reneged on their promise to engage in prostitution and pay them the agreed sum of 2.2 million cefas.

Speaking on the arrest, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, said the agency is poised to dismantle all human trafficking syndicates that are recruiting, trafficking, and subjecting Nigerians to various forms of exploitation anywhere around the world.

She said: “The arrest of the two suspects is a component of our well-planned onslaught against human traffickers in the country. They are members of the trans border criminal gangs operating within the West African Region, and it is good that we can lay our hands on them.

“I recalled that during the visit of VDM to the agency last week, we assured him that NAPTIP shall do the needful. We stand by our words, and in line with our mandates, we shall make it difficult for them to operate in Nigeria.

“We have also activated the necessary apparatus and initiated discussions with Partners State and Non-State Actors within the neighbouring countries and specifically in Côte D’ d’Ivoire, towards rescuing the victims stranded there.

“I sincerely thank all our Partners and stakeholders with specific reference to the VDM, for their support to the agency. He visited the agency last week, and from the discussion with him, he has a deep passion for the country. He has also demonstrated this with his support towards the evacuation of the victims.

“I wish to state that the game is over for human traffickers in Nigeria as NAPTIP is ready to choke them unless they desist from recruiting and trafficking of our citizens.”

The Director General added that full investigation on the matter has commenced and the suspects and any other persons connected to the case shall be prosecuted if found cupable at the end.

NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

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Gunmen Attack Senator Natasha Akpoti’s Family Residence in Kogi

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Gunmen Attack Senator Natasha Akpoti’s Family Residence in Kogi

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown hoodlums wielding cutlasses and firearms reportedly attacked the family residence of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the early hours of Tuesday in Obeiba-Ihima area, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the Chief Security Officer to the Senator, Yakubu Ovanja, reported the incident to security authorities, revealing that the attack occurred around 1:00 a.m. and involved at least three armed individuals who vandalized the building, including shattering window panes.

Following a distress alert, a team of security operatives from Okehi Division swiftly mobilized to the scene. While no casualties were reported and no arrests have been made, the premises were documented and preliminary investigations have commenced.

The motive behind the attack remains unknown as investigations continue.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent political figure in Kogi Central Senatorial District, has not issued a public statement as of press time.

Gunmen Attack Senator Natasha Akpoti’s Family Residence in Kogi

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Elderly Man Abducted by kidnappers n in Sabon Gari, Zaria

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Elderly Man Abducted by kidnappers n in Sabon Gari, Zaria

By Zagazola Makama

In a disturbing incident early this morning, an elderly man was kidnapped from his residence in Hayin Ojo, Sabon Gari, Zaria.

Police sources said the attack occurred at approximately 0130hrs when a group of armed men invaded the area, firing sporadically, and abducted Alhaji Saidu Mai Gold, aged 65.

The source said that the victim’s relative, reported the incident to the Sabon Gari Police Division around 0800hrs. In response, the Division’s Patrol Team was swiftly mobilized to the scene.

Efforts are currently ongoing to locate and rescue the victim.

Elderly Man Abducted by kidnappers n in Sabon Gari, Zaria

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