PeakNews Online
One week after 20 medical students and their house officer from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos were kidnapped in Otukpo, Benue State, the father of one of the victims, Mr. Kwaghaondona Fagar, has made a heartfelt plea for government intervention.
He called on both the federal and state governments to secure the release of the students unharmed.
Mr. Fagar, a retiree from the Benue State government, expressed his concerns on Thursday while speaking to journalists at his residence in Makurdi. He revealed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million, a sum the parents are struggling to raise amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“The situation is unbearable. Many of the parents are widows or widowers, and some have not yet paid their children’s school fees,” Fagar lamented, adding that he has not received his gratuity since retiring from the civil service in 2013, aside from the monthly pension recently initiated by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
In an emotional appeal, Fagar urged the federal and state governments, as well as well-meaning Nigerians, to come to the aid of the affected families before the kidnappers carry out their threats. According to him, many parents have already sold personal belongings in their desperate attempt to raise the ransom.
“I have sold my two vehicles and other belongings to pay for my son’s school fees at the University of Jos. Now, I am at a loss on how to raise my share of the ransom, which is N2.5 million,” Fagar explained. He described how the parents have formed a group to coordinate efforts to meet the ransom demands but noted that they have not yet been able to gather the full amount.
Fagar also shared that his son recently called, pleading for help, as the captives are reportedly being starved and denied food and water. In a direct appeal to the kidnappers, he pleaded for the safe and immediate release of the students.
The families of the abducted students continue to hope for a positive resolution as they await government action to secure their children’s freedom.
