Police Rescues 12 Passengers Abducted In Ondo Early Saturday

By Ayodele Oni 

The Ondo State Police Command, has rescued 12 Ibadan, Oyo state bound passengers abducted in Isua, Akoko area of the state early Saturday.

The kidnappers had intercepted two commercial buses conveying passengers from Benue and marched them into the forest.

Police spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement, narrated that “The Command received a distress report at about 0130hrs that two commercial Hummer buses conveying passengers from Benue State en route Ibadan had been violently intercepted by suspected armed kidnappers. 

“The attackers reportedly forced several passengers out of the vehicles and marched them into a nearby forest.

“Following the report, the Police immediately activated a coordinated rescue operation as operatives of the Command, alongside local hunters and other security stakeholders, were swiftly mobilized to the scene with the primary objective of rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators. 

“Upon arrival, the combined rescue team commenced an intensive bush-combing operation across the surrounding forests and difficult terrains where the victims were believed to have been taken, while intelligence-led surveillance and strategic tracking efforts were simultaneously intensified to trail the fleeing suspects and facilitate the safe rescue of the remaining victims.

“The sustained pressure mounted by the combined security team yielded significant success as twelve (12) kidnapped victims, including the drivers of the affected buses, were successfully rescued alive. 

“The rescued victims are currently receiving necessary medical attention and support while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families.

“The Ondo State Police Command wishes to reassure the public that operations are still ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and bring all those involved in the criminal act to justice. 

“Additional tactical and intelligence assets have since been deployed to the area to reinforce the ongoing rescue and manhunt operations.

“In furtherance of the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, personally visited the scene of the incident where he held strategic engagements with community heads, local vigilante groups and other relevant stakeholders within the axis. 

“During the meeting, the CP stressed the need for sustained collaboration between the Police, local communities, and other security actors in order to facilitate the rescue of the remaining victims, apprehend the fleeing suspects, and prevent future occurrences of such criminal activities in the area.”