By Paul Aondoakaa 

The Benue State Police Command has rescued 13 more passengers kidnapped along the Otukpo–Adoka Road after five days of sustained search and rescue operations, according to the Command.

The victims were rescued at about 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, following credible intelligence that led police operatives and local security personnel to launch a night operation in Amla-Cho Forest, Otukpo Local Government Area.

The Police said the operatives encountered the suspected kidnappers and their victims inside the forest. The suspects, however, reportedly fled under the cover of darkness, leaving the passengers behind.

All 13 victims were rescued unhurt, according to the Command.
The latest operation follows the earlier rescue of five passengers abducted during the same incident.

Police clarify number of passengers rescued

The Police Command said an initial passenger manifest indicated that nine victims remained in captivity after the first rescue.

However, subsequent verification reportedly showed that four additional passengers had not been recorded on the initial manifest.

The Command therefore said 13 passengers were rescued during the latest operation.

The passenger count is an important detail in the case because accurate records can help security agencies establish how many people are missing during an emergency and determine whether everyone has been accounted for.

Benue Info-pedia is treating the revised passenger figure as the Police Command's official account pending further independent verification of the original passenger manifest.

Police report gun battle, recovery of AK-47

The Command also disclosed that its operatives engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle on August 16 at about 6:00 p.m. during the ongoing search operation.

According to the Police, one suspected kidnapper was killed during the encounter.

An AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were also recovered from the scene.

The Police said efforts to locate and arrest the fleeing members of the suspected kidnapping gang have been intensified through sustained intelligence-led operations.

Rescued passengers receive medical attention

Following their rescue, the 13 passengers were taken to a medical facility for medical attention before being transported to their respective destinations in a chartered bus.

The Police Command did not identify the rescued passengers in its account.
The development is expected to bring relief to families and relatives who had been waiting for information about the whereabouts and safety of those abducted.

Police urge communities to remain vigilant

Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. Nwadiogbu, commended the personnel involved in the operation for their courage, resilience and commitment to securing the victims.

He assured residents that the Police, working with other security agencies, would continue operations aimed at protecting lives and property and dismantling criminal networks across the state.

The Command also called on residents, particularly those living around the affected communities, to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the fleeing suspects.

The Police further advised transport operators to maintain accurate and complete passenger manifests for every trip.

The Command stressed that proper documentation is critical to the timely identification, verification and rescue of passengers during emergencies.

Security operation continues
The rescue of the 13 passengers marks a significant development in the response to the kidnapping along the Otukpo–Adoka axis.

However, the operation is not yet over, with the Police continuing efforts to identify and arrest suspects who escaped into the surrounding area.

The incident also highlights the security risks facing travellers using major routes in Benue and the importance of timely intelligence, community cooperation and accurate passenger records during emergencies.

Benue Info-pedia will continue to monitor the operation and provide updates as additional information is independently verified.