The Nigeria Police have rescued 11 of the 18 passengers abducted by gunmen on the Benin–Akure highway near Obarenren village in Edo State’s Ovia North East Local Government Area. The victims were kidnapped on December 12 after the assailants reportedly stopped their vehicle at gunpoint, fired shots, and forced them into the bush.
Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, confirmed the rescue. She said the command received a distress call shortly after the attack and promptly deployed security operatives. Working alongside the army, local vigilantes, and hunters, the police launched a bush-combing operation to track down the kidnappers.
“On Sunday, 11 of the kidnapped passengers were successfully rescued, while seven remain in the hands of their abductors,” Ikoedem said. She assured that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and urged the public to stay calm and cooperate with security agencies, expressing confidence that all the passengers would be rescued safely.
