The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has sent more detectives to Benue State to help in the rescue of the abducted medical students.

Recall that 20 medical students of the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos, travelling to Enugu, were kidnapped on the Otukpo/Otukpa/Enugu road on Thursday evening.

The students were travelling for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students annual convention in Enugu when they were abducted.

Egbetokun had, on Saturday, ordered the deployment of tactical operatives and assets to ensure the prompt rescue of the kidnapped medical students.

He also directed the deployment of helicopters, drones and tactical vehicles, among others, to facilitate the rescue of the students.

In a statement on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the police boss had sent more detectives to the state, calling for the support of the citizens.

He said, “The IG reiterates commitment to rescuing the kidnapped medical students in Benue unhurt. He calls for understanding and support as more trained detectives arrive in Benue.”

Adejobi commended citizens who had been giving the police vital information secretly, urging those disclosing such on social media to desist from such acts.

He said, “We commend those who share information with us confidentially, while we advise those who discuss vital information about the incident on social media to desist, as such may disrupt the ongoing operations. Kindly share information with us in confidence.”

The University of Jos Alumni Association, on Sunday, called for the release of the 12 students of the institution who were among the abducted students.

The chairman of the association in Plateau State, Gad Peter, made the call in a statement on Sunday.

Peter, who condemned the abduction, described the incident as “a danger to the search for education and knowledge in the country.”

He said, “The University of Jos Alumni, Plateau State chapter, condemns the recent abduction of some medical students of the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri by some criminal elements in Benue State.

“This ugly incident once again points to the threat on our highways and a clear and present danger to the search for education and knowledge.

“We hereby call on the police and other security agencies to ensure a swift and safe rescue of these students and also the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of this dastardly act

“We condemn, without mincing words, this criminal act and hereby call on every citizen and community leader to expose criminal elements hiding and using their communities for criminal activities.”