Gunmen Abduct 18 Passengers Along Benin Akure Highway in Edo State

Gunmen have abducted about 18 passengers along the Benin Akure highway near Obarenren village in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The incident reportedly occurred last Saturday when the passengers were travelling in an 18 seater commercial bus popularly known as Big Joe. The attackers were said to have fired sporadically into the air to scare road users before forcefully taking the passengers into the surrounding bush.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Mrs. Eno Ikoedem, said security agencies immediately launched a joint operation to track down the abductors and rescue the victims.

According to her, a coordinated bush combing exercise involving the police and the Nigerian Army led to the successful rescue of 11 of the abducted passengers.

“The incident happened last Saturday. The passengers were travelling in an 18 seater Big Joe bus. We have been combing the bush in collaboration with the Nigerian Army,” Ikoedem said.

She added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims, noting that no arrest had been made as of the time of filing this report.

Residents and regular commuters along the Benin Akure highway have expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping on the route, calling on security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance to ensure the safety of road users.

The police spokesperson assured the public that security operatives would continue the search and rescue operation until all abducted passengers are freed and the perpetrators brought to justice.