The Integrity Youth Alliance, an organization that has been monitoring the development trends in the Nigeria Police Force for over 15 years, has applauded the bravery, tenacity, and professionalism of the country’s security forces for the tactical rescue operation that successfully freed the twenty medical students who were abducted on Thursday, August 15, 2024, while travelling to a national convention along the Otukpo-Enugu Road in Benue State.
In a press release on Wednesday, 28th August 2024 signed by the Alliance’ Board Chairman, Comrade Adewole Kehinde, praised Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for their unwavering dedication to securing the victims’ safety and prompt rescue; further noting that both NSA and IGP stopped at nothing to swiftly uncover the truth about the gruesome incident.
The safe rescue of the victims without having to pay a ransom to the kidnappers, according to Adewole, was a comfort to not only their families, friends, and coworkers, but the entire country as well. He added that this demonstrated the nation’s security architecture’s renewed commitment to safeguarding national peace, unity, and law and order while protecting the lives and property of all citizens.
“The successful rescue of the 20 medical students and other hostages who had been held captive by kidnappers in the Benue State Forest for more than a week is tangible evidence of Nigeria’s enormous chances to defeat insecurity through efficient interagency cooperation and well-coordinated cooperation with local vigilantes and the general public, Adewole said.
He further commended the Nigeria Police, and other security agencies including the Office of the National Security Adviser for playing frontline roles in the daring rescue operation.
The statement further read that the rising spate of Kidnapping for ransom is currently an existential security menace in Nigeria, especially as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit had hinted that it is a key source of funding for the activities of terrorist groups operating in the country.
“In addition to wishing all of the victims a speedy recovery from the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma that their daredevil captors must have inflicted on them, we are overjoyed to hear of the safe rescue and demand the immediate rehabilitation and reintegration of the medical students and others in their company with their loved ones.
To achieve the eradication of all terrorists and organized criminals, we implore the public to aid security forces in their fight against insecurity by providing them with reliable intelligence.
Recall that three helicopters, several drones and specialized tactical vehicles were used concurrently to facilitate the search and rescue operation of the kidnapped medical students.