Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire

20 kidnapped Nigerian medical students freed

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 24 Aug 2024 12:52
3 Min Read

The kidnappers contacted the victims' families demanding a ₦50 million ($32,000) ransom for their release, which police say was not paid.

Listen
  • x
  • A police officer stops a car at a checkpoint to check the activities of criminals and unknown gunmen in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, on February 16, 2023. (AFP)
    A police officer stops a car at a checkpoint to check the activities of criminals and unknown gunmen in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, on February 16, 2023. (AFP)

Twenty Nigerian medical students have been freed after being kidnapped on their way to a convention in Benue State on Thursday evening, the police announced on Saturday. 

Nigerian police released a statement on Saturday confirming "the release of the 20 students from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos."

A few days after the students were kidnapped, the perpetrators contacted the victims' families demanding a ₦50 million ($32,000) ransom for their release. 

“Contrary to some tweets and unconfirmed stories that some money was paid, no kobo was paid to release them. They were actually rescued tactically and professionally,” police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi wrote on X. 

Release of 20 medical students and others. We confirm the release of our brothers and sisters and some other Nigerians who have been in captivity on Friday 23rd August 2024 in Ntunkon forest, Benue State. Without any ransom paid. Contrary to some tweets and unconfirmed stories… pic.twitter.com/SYD6Vr4zWj

— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) August 24, 2024

No details were provided on how the students were released from their captors, but Nigeria's police chief deployed a "tactical squad" in  Benue to rescue the victims. 

Related News

Nigeria to commission two Chinese-backed lithium processing plants

Africa needs more PhD graduates but faces funding, support gaps: Study

"We've spoken to them on the phone. They are safe," Fortune Olaye, secretary general of the NIMSA national medical students association, said to AFP.

Thousands of people are kidnapped for ransom in Nigeria each year, although reliable data is scarce. According to the Nigerian consultancy, SBM Intelligence, there were 4,777 reported kidnappings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's assumption into office in May 2023 and January 2024.

Nigeria frees 137 kidnapped school girls, 1 staff member dead

After they were liberated by the Nigerian army a day earlier, over 100 Nigerian school children and staff members arrived on March 25 at the local government building north of the country.

"There are here 131 students, six others are currently being hospitalized and will be eventually discharged when they get better," said Major General MLD Saraso of the Nigerian army.

Saraso further explained that among the 138 individuals initially kidnapped, a member of the school staff had died in captivity.

Earlier, on March 24, the army declared the rescue of 137 hostages including 76 females and 61 males in the state of Zamfara, just days ahead of a deadline set by the kidnappers for the payment of a 1 billion naira ($690,000) ransom for their release.

The Nigerian government delivered 14 black bags, allegedly containing the total of the ransom money, according to a security insider who requested to remain anonymous.

In parallel, the Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris told a press briefing in Abuja that no ransom was paid.

  • Nigeria
  • Nigeria kidnapping

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS