From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has successfully rescued thirteen (13) more victims kidnapped along the Otukpo–Adoka Road on 14 August 2026 while travelling from Enugu to Abuja.
The passengers were rescued unharmed in Amla-Cho Forest in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State following a joint tactical operation involving local vigilantes.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement he issued and made available to newsmen on Saturday.
DSP Aondongu maintained that the latest rescue operation represents a significant breakthrough in the Command’s efforts to disrupt the activities of the kidnappers.
According to him, “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 20th August 2026 at Amla-Cho Forest, Otukpo Local Government Area, where the operatives encountered the kidnappers and the victims”.
The PPRO narrated that, although the suspects fled the scene under cover of darkness, the victims were successfully 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.
“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 statement said.
He reiterated that the Command is currently intensifying efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects, who are being pursued through sustained intelligence-led operations.
The PPRO quoted the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, as commending the personnel of the Command for their courage, resilience and sustained efforts which have led to the safe rescue of the victims.
He said that the commissioner assured members of 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 appreciates the cooperation of members of the public and urges residents, particularly those within the affected communities, to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to apprehend the suspects and prevent similar incidents.
“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 concluded.
