From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Barely 24 hours of operation by kidnappers in which about 16 passengers were said to have been kidnapped along Anyigba -Ejule road by armed hoodlums on Wednesday, Kogi State Police Command said it has rescued 12 out of the 16 passengers of a bus kidnapped.
In a press release issued to Journalists on Thursday in Lokoja,
the state police command’s spokesman, SP William Aya said the victims were rescued by men and officers of the command’s Quick Response Team.
Aya who disclosed that the driver of the bus, Bernard Ejeh was among the 12 people rescued when the police team pursued the kidnappers into the bush assured that the command would intensify efforts to rescue the remaining four passengers.
The statement said the Command on Wednesday 6th April 2022, received a report that one Toyota bus with Registration Number Benue 192 XA driven by one Benard Ejeh conveying 16 passengers from Abuja heading to Benue State via Ankpa ran into kidnappers at Ojuwo-Ajego village of Ofu Local Government Area along Anyigba road.
“Immediately, the operatives of Quick Response Unit stationed at Itobe promptly swung into action, pursued the hoodlums into the bush and rescued 12 passengers, including the driver while 4 other passengers are yet to be seen.” the statement added.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Egbuka who was on a visiting tour at Kogi East Senatorial Zone got the information while he was on his way to Ejule, immediately moved to the scene, met with the rescued passengers and ordered that they should be moved to Itobe Division for the briefing.”
“The Commissioner of Police immediately deployed tactical team to the area to continue trailing the hoodlums with a view to rescue other victims,” the statement said.
“The Commissioner of Police urges members of the public, the media, particularly social media handlers to always verify facts of incidents from the Police before publishing stories to guard against misinformation.”
