The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of nine kidnapped victims following coordinated operations carried out in two separate incidents along the Benin–Lagos Expressway and nearby forest areas.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, the Command said the success was achieved through intelligence-led operations, tactical deployment, aerial surveillance, and sustained bush-combing efforts ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.
The statement noted: “@EdoPoliceNG is pleased to inform the general public that all victims abducted during the recent kidnapping incident along the Benin–Lagos Expressway have been successfully rescued alive.”
According to the police, the operation involved the deployment of tactical teams and other security resources, which mounted pressure on the kidnappers and forced the release of the victims.
It added: “The sustained rescue efforts, coordinated bush-combing operations, and strategic domination of the area exerted pressure on the kidnappers, ultimately leading to the safe rescue of all victims. They have since received medical evaluation and treatment, and reunited with their families.”
In a related development, the Command also confirmed the rescue of additional abductees held in a forest within the Imiegba area of Agenebode.
It stated: “In a related development, the Command also successfully rescued four (4) other kidnapped victims who were abducted earlier this month and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode.”
All rescued victims were said to have undergone medical checks and were confirmed to be in stable condition, bringing the total number of rescued persons to nine.
The police also assured residents that security presence along the Benin–Lagos Expressway and surrounding forest routes has been intensified to prevent further attacks.
Earlier reports from the Command revealed that armed men attacked a GUO Transport Company bus along the Lagos–Benin Express Road on April 18, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m.
According to the statement: “The incident occurred when suspected kidnappers attacked a GUO Transport Company bus with registration number FA 280 YJ.”
During the attack, the driver was killed after the assailants opened fire on the vehicle, while several passengers were abducted.
The police added: “The attackers opened fire on the vehicle, killing the driver in the process, while five people were on board at the time of the incident.”
One female passenger was later rescued with gunshot injuries and taken for treatment, while others were taken into the forest before the latest rescue operation was launched. The driver’s body has been deposited in the mortuary, and the recovered vehicle has been secured for investigation.
