The Benue State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough following a kidnapping incident that occurred on Thursday in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
This development was disclosed in a statement released on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Udeme Edet, who confirmed that a coordinated security operation is ongoing to track down the perpetrators and rescue victims.
According to her, the operation—carried out in collaboration with other security agencies—is focused on Amla Forest and surrounding locations, where a targeted search-and-rescue mission is currently underway.
Edet revealed that the effort has already yielded results, with some of the kidnapped victims successfully rescued and now receiving medical care.
She added that intelligence gathered during the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are presently in police custody as investigations continue.
The police spokesperson also addressed reports circulating in some sections of the media, which claimed that the victims were students travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). She dismissed the reports as inaccurate.
Edet clarified that the victims were not part of any organised convoy of students but were passengers on a commercial bus heading to Makurdi.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents that intensified efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and restore calm in the affected area.
The command also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through its official hotlines or at the nearest police station.
Edet further emphasised the importance of public cooperation, urging residents to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.
