Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A combine team of the Nigeria Army, police and vigilantes have rescued 20 passengers out of 41 kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be herders.
The 41 passengers kidnapped along Lampese-Ogorimagogo road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
It was learnt that the passengers were kidnapped on March 18, 2024 in four Toyota Hiace buses.
The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor who confirmed the incident, however, said 20 of the victims have been rescued.
SP Nwabuzor said the victims were rescued by police operatives in collaboration with the military personnel and vigilante, who immediately moved to the scene and embarked on vigorous bush combing exercise.
According to him, on March 18, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ibillo division, received information that hoodlums suspected to be herdsmen emerged from the bush along Lampese- Ogorimagogo road, accosted four Toyota Hiace buses and kidnapped the occupants into the bush.
“Police operatives in collaboration with the military personnel and vigilante immediately moved to the scene embarked on vigorous bush combing exercise and rescue 20 passengers at once”, he said.
Nwabuzor said efforts are still on going to rescue 21 other passengers that are still in captivity.
It was also gathered that the armed men suspected to be herders stormed out from the bush, accosted the passengers vehicles at a gun point and kidnapped the occupants into the bush.