Police rescue 11 out of 18 kidnapped travellers on Benin–Akure Expressway
The Police have rescued 11 of the 18 passengers kidnapped by gunmen on the Benin–Akure highway near Obarenren village in Ovia North-East Local Government of Edo state.
The passengers were kidnapped when the assailants allegedly stopped their vehicle at gunpoint, fired shots and forced the victims into the bush.
The spokesperson for the police command in Edo State, confirmed the development in a statement.
Ikoedem said the command received a distress call shortly after the attack and immediately mobilised security operatives.
Ikoedem added that the extensive bush combing led to the rescue of 11 victims, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining passengers.
“The incident happened last Saturday. The passengers were travelling in an 18-seater Big Joe bus. We have been combing the bush in collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
“No arrests have been made yet,” she stated.
She said the police, working with the army, vigilantes and local hunters, launched a bush-combing operation to track the kidnappers.
Ikoedem assured that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims, urging members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, expressing confidence that the remaining passengers would be rescued unhurt.
