By Obinna Uballa
The Edo State Police Command says 16 passengers kidnapped along the Benin-Auchi Road on Friday have been rescued.
The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development on Saturday, adding that the rescue followed a joint operation involving police officers, local vigilantes, and hunters.
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Friday when gunmen intercepted an Edoline bus heading to Abuja and a Toyota Corolla car, forcing the occupants into the bush.
A viral video from the scene showed the abandoned vehicles on the highway, with the narrator claiming that about 18 people had been taken by the kidnappers. Several other motorists were seen parked along the road, hesitant to continue their journey.
According to the narrator, police operatives had already arrived at the scene to launch a rescue mission.
Yamu, while confirming the rescue of 16 victims, did not disclose the total number of abducted passengers. He said efforts were ongoing to free the remaining captives.
“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 said.
