Police Rescue 13 Abducted Passengers In Benue

The Benue State Police Command has rescued 13 more persons kidnapped along the Otukpo-Adoka Road about a week ago while travelling from Enugu to Abuja.

The command said the rescue followed sustained search and rescue operations by the Police in collaboration with local security personnel.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, on Friday, said the Police were searching for the abductors.

“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,” he said.

According to the statement, the suspects fled the scene under cover of darkness, as the victims were rescued unhurt.

“It is also noteworthy that on 16 August 2026 at about 1800hrs, while continuing with the search and rescue operations, operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, during which one of the suspects was neutralised.

An AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene,” he added.

The command said the rescued victims were taken to a medical facility for medical attention and thereafter transported to their respective destinations in a chartered bus.

“The operation also highlighted the importance of accurate and comprehensive passenger manifest documentation. While the initial manifest indicated that nine victims remained to be rescued following the earlier rescue of five victims, subsequent verification established that four additional passengers had not been captured on the manifest, bringing the number of victims rescued during the latest operation to thirteen,” the spokesman said.

The command said it is currently intensifying efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects, who were being pursued through sustained intelligence-led operations.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the personnel of the Command for their courage, resilience and sustained efforts which have led to the safe rescue of the victims.

He assured the public that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to sustain operations against criminal elements across the State.

“The Command also advises transport operators to ensure that accurate and complete passenger manifests are maintained for every trip, as proper documentation is critical to facilitating timely identification, verification and rescue efforts during emergencies,” the statement added.