JUST-IN: Benue Police Arrest 7 Suspects, Rescue Kidnap Victims, Clarify Abductees Not UTME Candidates

The Benue State Police Command has announced the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the Wednesday’s abduction of 13 passengers who were travelling in a commercial bus belonging to Benue Links Nigeria Limited, along Makurdi-Otukpo Road in the State.

The Command also disclosed that some of the victims were rescued by a joint security operation involving the police and sister security agencies in the Amla Forest.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, assured the public that the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, was intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining kidnap victims and ensure the full restoration of peace and security in the affected area.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, on Friday, the Police Command urged continued cooperation from the public by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.

Parts of the statement read, “In a coordinated joint security operation involving the Police and other sister security agencies, operatives are conducting a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas. The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention.

“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven (7) suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing.”

The statement, however, clarified, “The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The Command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Markudi bound bus.”

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the following official police hotlines: 08066006475, 07067374913, or report at the nearest police station. Police Public Relations Officer” the command added.

LEADERSHIP reports that the management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited, the state-owned transport company, had earlier confirmed the arrest of its driver who drove the bus on a night trip against the company’s policy, that led to the abduction of the 13 passengers.

A statement issued by the Benue Links Nigeria Limited’s Information Officer, Johnson Ehi Daniel, a copy of which was made available to LEADERSHIP, said the driver who drove affected bus is presently in police custody and investigations were ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.