Three suspected kidnappers have been apprehended by security operatives in Benue State’s Otukpo Local Government Area.
The suspects were captured on Sunday in the Ogoli-Ugboju region of the local government area.
The arrests followed a protest by residents of Otukpo town last Tuesday, where they called for action to address the escalating insecurity in the area and neighbouring communities.
In reaction, the police reinforced their presence by sending additional officers to combat the rising security concerns.
The latest wave of criminal incidents included an attack late Thursday night, where armed men hijacked a bus owned by the state-run transport service, Benue Links.
The attackers killed two persons and took 14 passengers away.
However, within 24 hours, the police, working alongside the State Protection Guards, successfully rescued the kidnapped passengers.
The three arrested suspects are suspected members of a larger gang linked to the recent abductions in the area.
The suspects, named Ibrahim Salleh, Ashimu, and Abuh Umaru, were tracked down and captured by security operatives following intelligence reports on their location.
Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the arrests and disclosed that two other suspects remain on the run, with security operatives still in pursuit.
He said, “We learnt from intelligence report that they are a gang of five kidnappers. Three have been apprehended. Security agents are going after the remaining two and their collaborators.”
Catherine Anene, spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, also confirmed the operation.
She said, “Operation is ongoing in Otukpo, and I am aware that some suspects have been arrested.”
