The Benue State Police Command has announced that it has arrested seven suspects in connection with the Wednesday’s abduction of 13 passengers.
Recall that gunmen had reportedly abducted 14 passengers travelling in a commercial bus belonging to Benue Links Nigeria Limited, along Makurdi-Otukpo Road in the State.
It was suspected that some of the passengers were candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
However, the Command, in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, on Friday, clarified that JAMB students were not among those who were abducted.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, disclosed that some of the victims were rescued by a joint security operation involving the police and sister security agencies in the Amla Forest.
Emenari assured the public that the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, was intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining kidnap victims and ensure the full restoration of peace and security in the affected area.
The Police Command urged continued cooperation from the public by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.
Parts of the statement read, “In a coordinated joint security operation involving the Police and other sister security agencies, operatives are conducting a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas. The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention.
The statement, however, clarified, “The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The Command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Markudi bound bus.”
“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the following official police hotlines: 08066006475, 07067374913, or report at the nearest police station. Police Public Relations Officer” the command added.