The parents of the 20 medical and dental students kidnapped in Benue State have appealed to the Nigerian government to help secure the release of their children.

One of the parents, who spoke on behalf of all the affected parents, said it was hard to raise the ransom demanded by the kidnappers

“Life is not easy with us; I am pleading on behalf of parents to the kidnappers to release our children as it is hard for us to raise the N50 million they are demanding,” the parent said in an interview with AIT Online. “We also appeal to the government to help us secure the release of our children.”

The kidnappers had threatened to kill the students by Saturday if their parents failed to raise the money.

SaharaReporters reported last week that 20 medical and dental students and a House Officer had been kidnapped in Benue State while en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu.

The students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were travelling together when they were ambushed by gunmen in the Otukpo area of Benue State.

The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, condemned the abduction.

The governor urged security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the students. He also warned criminal elements operating within the state that his administration is committed to eradicating all forms of criminality and will not rest until the situation is resolved.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students listed the names of some of the kidnapped students as follows: Boniface Tizhe, Thomas Yahaya, Gabriel Jita Iwev, Boniface Okon, Dondo Fabian, John Bitrus Naga, Fortune Chima Umeh, Godwin Gregory Tumba, Monica Ejembi.

Others are Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka, Paul Nyampa Zira, Lawrence Victory Adaugo, Okopi Peter, Enger Benedicta, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, Paul Shantong, Victoria Cornelius, Pius Samson, Okan Adara and Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu, a House Officer.