The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the successful rescue of 11 passengers out of the 18 abducted by armed assailants along the Benin–Akure Highway.
The abduction occurred on Friday, December 12, near Obarenren village in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The victims were travelling in a vehicle operated by a well-known commercial transport company in the state when gunmen intercepted the bus.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, told Channels Television during a telephone interview that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the freedom of the remaining passengers.
According to police accounts, the vehicle was stopped at gunpoint, after which all passengers were forcefully taken into nearby bushes by the attackers.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Command in the area promptly initiated a coordinated rescue mission involving the Nigerian Army, local vigilante groups, and hunters. Security operatives conducted extensive searches of surrounding forests and bushes in pursuit of the kidnappers and their captives.
The coordinated operation recorded progress on Sunday when 11 of the abducted passengers were successfully rescued. The freed victims have since been reunited with their families, while search-and-rescue efforts continue to locate and free the remaining seven passengers still in captivity.
The Edo State Police Command has reassured residents of its commitment to strengthening security across the state, particularly with the approach of the festive season, emphasizing that criminal elements will not find Edo State a safe place to operate.
What you should know
The Benin–Akure Highway has in recent years remained a hotspot for criminal activities, including kidnappings, prompting frequent security operations.
The latest rescue highlights ongoing collaboration between the police, military, and community-based security groups in Edo State. Authorities say sustained patrols and intelligence-led operations are being expanded to curb highway crimes, especially during periods of increased travel such as the yuletide season.
Residents and travellers are urged to remain vigilant as efforts continue to dismantle kidnapping networks operating along major routes.
