Police rescue eight kidnapped passengers after Benue gun battle

Police in Benue State have rescued eight kidnapped passengers after a gun battle with suspected abductors in Ohimini Local Government Area.

The victims were part of a group seized when armed men attacked a commercial bus travelling from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State to Abuja along the Ankpenchi-Ogobia axis on Sunday night.

The state Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said 13 passengers were abducted in the attack. Four were rescued shortly after the incident, while nine were taken deeper into the forest.

According to the police account reported by Daily Post and Daily Trust, tactical teams continued search operations from September 14 and later moved on the suspected kidnappers’ camp after receiving intelligence early on Friday.

Daily Trust reported that eight of the remaining hostages were rescued, while one victim died from gunshot injuries sustained during the kidnap incident. The report said the rescue followed a gun battle between police operatives and members of the suspected kidnapping group.

The police said the rescued victims were taken for medical checks and debriefing. The command also said officers were still tracking the fleeing suspects.

Sources: Daily Post, Daily Trust