The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 16 passengers abducted along the Benin-Auchi Road on Friday.
Spokesperson of the command, Moses Yamu, disclosed the development on Saturday, stating that joint efforts by police operatives, local vigilantes, and hunters led to the successful rescue.
A viral video circulating on Saturday morning showed an abandoned Edoline bus and a Toyota Corolla at the scene, with a narrator claiming that about 18 travelers had been forced into the bush by kidnappers. The clip also showed several vehicles parked along the highway, as drivers hesitated to continue their journeys due to safety concerns.
The rescued passengers, who were reportedly traveling to Abuja in the Edoline bus, were ambushed and taken into the forest before security forces intervened.
Confirming the incident, Yamu said:
“The kidnapping took place on Friday at about 16:30 hrs. Sixteen of the victims have been rescued so far, as the search and rescue operation by the command in collaboration with vigilantes and hunters continues.”
He, however, did not disclose the total number of passengers kidnapped during the attack.
The Edo State Police Command assured the public that the ongoing operation will continue until the remaining victims are safely reunited with their families.
