The Edo State Police Command has rescued nine persons abducted in separate kidnapping incidents across the state, including passengers of a GUO Transport bus attacked along the Benin-Lagos Expressway.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed that five of the victims were freed following the recent attack on the commercial bus, while four others were rescued from captivity in the Imiegba forest in Agenebode, Edo North.
According to the statement, the successful rescue of the bus passengers followed the deployment of tactical teams and intelligence resources to the affected corridor on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.
“The victims were rescued alive after sustained bush-combing operations and coordinated efforts that mounted pressure on the kidnappers,” the statement noted, adding that the victims had since received medical attention and reunited with their families.
The police also confirmed that four other victims, who were abducted earlier in the month, were freed from a forest hideout in Agenebode after a separate operation.
The command said security presence along the Benin-Lagos Expressway and surrounding communities had been intensified, with tactical and intelligence assets fully activated to prevent further attacks.
It assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the incidents.
“We are confident that the perpetrators will be tracked down and brought to justice,” the statement added.
The development follows an earlier attack on a GUO bus along the expressway, during which gunmen reportedly shot the driver dead and abducted several passengers after forcing the vehicle to a halt.
