Police rescue 13 passengers kidnapped along Benue highway

 The Benue state police command says it has rescued 13
passengers kidnapped along the Otukpo-Adoka road.

 

Orchia Aondongu, spokesperson for the command, in a
statement on Friday, said the victims were abducted on August 14 while
travelling from Enugu to Abuja.

He said their rescue followed sustained joint operations by
the police and local security personnel.

“The latest rescue operation represents a significant
breakthrough in the Command’s efforts to disrupt the activities of the
kidnappers,” Aondongu said.

“After about five days of intense and relentless search and
rescue operations, operatives, acting on credible intelligence, embarked on a
night operation which culminated in the successful rescue of the victims at
about 0200hrs on 20 August 2026 at Amla-Cho Forest, Otukpo Local Government
Area, where the operatives encountered the kidnappers and the victims.

“Although the suspects fled the scene under cover of
darkness, the victims were successfully rescued unhurt.”

Aondongu said that on August 20, operatives engaged the
kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, during which one of the suspects was killed.

He said that an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live
ammunition were recovered from the scene.

According to the spokesperson, the rescued victims were
examined at a medical facility before being transported to their respective
destinations.

“The command is currently intensifying efforts to track down
and apprehend the fleeing suspects, who are being pursued through sustained
intelligence-led operations,” the statement reads.

The Benue police spokesperson urged residents to remain
vigilant and provide credible information to help apprehend the suspects.

He also advised transport operators to maintain accurate
passenger manifests to aid identification and rescue efforts during
emergencies.

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