April 05, (THEWILL) – Benue State Police Command rescued fourteen passengers kidnapped along the Makurdi-Otukpo road in a nearby forest on Friday night.
The Command said that at about 1500hrs, they sighted the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gun duel, and the superior firepower of the police subdued the kidnappers, and they took to their heels, abandoning their captives.
Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Sewuese Anene, in a statement, said that, unfortunately, the kidnappers had inflicted machete cuts on two of the victims before their rescue.
“Fourteen victims were rescued and taken to the hospital where one was confirmed dead and others are currently receiving treatment”, the statement said.
The PPRO quotes the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Steve Yabanet, as commiserating with families of the three passengers who lost their lives in the incident and pledging his commitment to bringing perpetrators to book.
He enjoined the people of Otukpo to look out for suspects with gunshot injuries and report to the police, saying many of the bandits who fled received gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.
THEWILL recalls that on April 3, 2025, a Toyota Hiace bus of Benue Links transport company was conveying passengers from Makurdi to Otukpo, and on reaching Oturkpo Burnt Bricks area, a gang of armed kidnappers shot sporadically at the driver and a passenger at the front seat, causing the driver to stop on the highway.
Upon receipt of this information, the police, in collaboration with members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, swiftly moved to the scene and found the driver and one passenger, who sustained gunshot injuries in the vehicle, while the kidnappers whisked away others.
The statement added that the injured were conveyed to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead by a doctor.
