Reports from Benue state say at least 14 passengers travelling from Enugu State to Abuja were reportedly abducted along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, on Thursday night by suspected bandits
According to information available to Hanto Daily News, the victims who were travelling in a commercial bus were said to have been ambushed by the suspected bandits and whisked them into the bush, leaving the empty bus on the road.
The Benue State Police Command that confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, however disclosed that its operatives had rescued five of the victims, including a four-year-old boy.
The command revealed that nine other victims, as at the time of releasing the information were still in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.
The police assured that the Command launched a coordinated rescue operation in the early hours of Friday following the abduction, pointing out that the operation which involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the suspected kidnappers, resulted in the rescue of five victims.
The police made public that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was immediately taken to a medical facility in Otukpo, where he is receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Command are currently working with sister security agencies to rescue the remaining nine victims safely.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, while reacting acknowledged the concerns of the victims’ families and members of the public, assuring them that concerted efforts were underway to secure the safe release of those still in captivity.
