The 13 kidnapped Benue Links passengers that were abducted at Eke in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State have been rescued in a joint effort led by the police with local vigilantees.
The LGA chairman, Adah Inalegwu, confirmed the rescue of the abductees on Sunday,June
Inalegwu told Channels Television that the joint operations led by the police and members of vigilantes in that area mounted pressure, combing the forest.
He stated that their efforts led to the rescue of two of the passengers on Saturday. He said youths enlisted the service of youths from neighbouring Kogi State, leading to increased pressure, which made the kidnappers abandon the remaining eleven victims at Oando village at about 4.00 pm on Sunday,June 29.
According to him, the provision of logistics by Governor Hyacinth Alia, with improved security surveillance and tracking, led to the rescue of the victims.
The victims are being profiled before they are reunited with their families.
The incident occurred last week when armed men suspected to be bandits hijacked the state-owned commercial bus travelling through Okpokwu, forcing the passengers into the bush at gunpoint.
