Edo Police rescue 13 abducted passengers after gun duel with kidnappers

The Edo State Police Command has successfully rescued all 13 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Benin-Lagos Expressway following a coordinated security operation involving drones, aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and intensive bush-combing tactics.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Benin City, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and violent crimes along the busy highway.

According to Ikoedem, the passengers were abducted on May 9 at Ogua Community along the Benin-Lagos road when armed hoodlums attacked a commercial bus belonging to Young Shall Grow Motors travelling from Akwa Ibom State to Lagos.

She revealed that the attackers intercepted the vehicle and forcefully took away several passengers into the surrounding forest during the attack.

The police spokesperson added that a female passenger sustained gunshot injuries during the incident and was later rushed for medical attention.

Following the attack, the Edo State Police Command immediately launched rescue operations across the affected area, deploying tactical teams and local security assets into nearby forests in search of the victims.

“Following the incident, the command immediately launched coordinated rescue and bush combing operations, rescuing five passengers comprising two adults and three children, and has remained on the trail of the kidnappers,” Ikoedem stated.

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She explained that security operatives intensified efforts through intelligence-driven policing and advanced technological support, including the deployment of drones and aerial surveillance systems to track the movements of the kidnappers within the forest.

According to her, operatives later engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel on May 10, leading to the successful rescue of two additional victims.

“Through the deployment of drones, aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven policing and sustained technological support, operatives of the command engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and successfully rescued two additional passengers,” she said.

Ikoedem further disclosed that the remaining six abducted passengers were eventually rescued unhurt after sustained operations by police tactical teams in the area.

She quoted the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, as commending the courage, professionalism and resilience displayed by officers involved in the rescue mission.

The commissioner assured residents and travellers that the command remains fully committed to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

“The command is not relenting in its efforts as intensive bush combing operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime,” Agbonika said.

The latest rescue operation comes amid growing security concerns along major highways across the country, particularly the Benin-Lagos corridor, which has witnessed several cases of armed robbery and kidnapping in recent months.

Security experts have repeatedly called for stronger surveillance systems, improved intelligence sharing and sustained security patrols along interstate highways to curb criminal activities and protect commuters.