The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnapped victims and arrested two suspects following a kidnapping incident on the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
A statatement from the police says the victims, including a Reverend Father, were abducted by armed men on Tuesday, October 13, at about 8:15 p.m. while returning from a village market near Ipiga village.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Peter Aondongu Orchia, in a statement on Monday, October 18 says the rescue operation involved police operatives, the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
According to the statement, two of the victims were rescued on October 16, while the remaining six regained their freedom on October 18.
The rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and treatment.
DSP Orchia identified the arrested suspects as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, adding that they were assisting with investigations as security operatives intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the suspected criminal gang.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism, while appreciating the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes, urging residents to provide credible information to aid ongoing security operations.
