Thirteen passengers kidnapped from a Benue Links vehicle in Eke, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, have regained their freedom following a coordinated rescue operation involving security forces and local vigilantes.
The Chairman of Okpokwu LGA, Adah Inalegwu, confirmed the rescue on Sunday, revealing that the successful operation was the result of sustained pressure on the kidnappers through a series of joint forest combing efforts by the police and community vigilante groups.
Two victims were first rescued on Saturday during one of the search missions. By Sunday afternoon, the remaining eleven abductees were found abandoned by their captors in Oando village around 4:00 p.m.
Inalegwu credited the intensified efforts to collaborative engagement, including the enlistment of youths from neighbouring Kogi State, which heightened the pressure on the kidnappers and forced them to release the hostages.
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He also acknowledged the role of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, whose provision of logistics and improved surveillance and tracking support were key to the success of the rescue mission.
The victims are currently undergoing profiling and medical checks before being reunited with their families.
More updates are expected to follow as authorities continue investigations into the abduction and subsequent rescue.