Police Rescue 13 Kidnap Victims In Benue

Thirteen passengers kidnapped while travelling from Enugu to Abuja have been rescued in Benue State after a police-led search operation, closing the remaining part of an abduction case that began on the Otukpo-Adoka corridor.

The victims were among passengers seized when gunmen intercepted an 18-seater commercial bus in August. Police had earlier said five passengers were rescued, while security teams continued searching for the remaining 13.

The Benue State Police Command said the latest rescue happened around 2:00am on August 20 at Amla-Cho Forest in Otukpo Local Government Area. It said the operation followed several days of search by police tactical teams working with other security personnel and local volunteers.

Punch reported the abduction along the Ankpechi-Omutele axis in Ohimini Local Government Area and said the victims spent eight days in captivity. Daily Post reported the route as Otukpo-Adoka Road and said the victims were rescued after about five days of sustained search. Both accounts identify the same group of 13 remaining passengers from the Enugu-to-Abuja bus.

Police spokesperson DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu said the rescued passengers were receiving medical attention and would be reunited with their families after debriefing. The command said efforts were continuing to arrest the suspects behind the abduction.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post