By Adesakin Adefemi
The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven suspected militia herdsmen in connection with the abduction of 18 passengers, including Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board candidates, from a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi-Otukpo highway last Wednesday.
State Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari said all 18 victims have regained their freedom following a joint security operation. He disclosed the details while presenting the rescued passengers to Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi on Sunday.
Emenari explained that five of the passengers were released earlier, while the remaining 13 were rescued unhurt on Sunday morning. “With the earlier release of five occupants of the vehicle, the remaining 13 were rescued this Sunday morning unhurt,” he said.
The Commissioner credited the successful operation to support from Governor Alia and the Inspector-General of Police. He noted that the deployment of the IGP tactical team increased pressure on the kidnappers and aided the victims’ safe return.
According to Emenari, eight suspects are currently in police custody. Seven of them are believed to be herdsmen directly linked to the kidnapping. “Some of the victims have been able to identify them,” he added.
The command has launched special operations across Benue State to flush out criminal elements from forest hideouts, in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police and the state government. The operations target bandits using rural and forested areas as bases.
Receiving the victims, Governor Alia expressed concern over rising cases of kidnapping in parts of the state but welcomed the safe return of all 18 passengers. He noted that eight of the victims were young people traveling to Otukpo to write their JAMB examinations.
The governor urged JAMB to consider rescheduling the examinations for the affected candidates to ensure they do not miss the opportunity. He assured that the state government would provide necessary support to the victims, including medical evaluation through the Commissioner for Health and Human Services.
Alia reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for criminal activities and called on residents to support security agencies with timely and useful information. He added that the government would roll out support packages for the rescued passengers while investigations continue.
