In a dramatic turn of events, the Benue State Police have successfully rescued 13 victims of a harrowing kidnapping, following the ambush of an 18-seater Benue Links bus on Thursday evening. The bus, traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo, was attacked by armed kidnappers at the Ikobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area.
According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, the authorities responded swiftly, engaging in a fierce gun battle with the kidnappers after the bus was halted by gunfire. The attackers had shot the driver and a passenger, leading to the bus’s sudden stop.
While the injured victims were rushed to a hospital, unfortunately, two were confirmed dead. The kidnappers managed to take the remaining passengers into the nearby forest, where the police, in coordination with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, launched a rescue operation. By Friday afternoon, a police team located the bandits and engaged them in another gunfight. The superior firepower from the police forced the criminals to flee, abandoning their captives.
However, before the rescue, two of the victims had sustained machete injuries. Fourteen hostages were freed, with one later confirmed dead, while others are receiving medical care.
Benue’s Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to bringing the criminals to justice. He urged the public to report any individuals with gunshot wounds, as many of the bandits were injured during the exchange.
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