Operatives of the Edo state police command on Sunday rescued nine kidnapped victims on the Benin- Auchi road.
It was learnt that the victims were traveling from Auchi to Benin City when they were kidnapped at Igieduma community in Uhunwonde Local Government Area of the State.
It was also gathered that the passengers were traveling in a 14-seater Toyota Hiace bus with Reg. No. XA 525 KRF driven by one Karimu Momoh, belonging to a private company when they were intercepted by a group of hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers.
On sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire on them and when they were overpowered they fled into the bush.
Speaking on the development, the state command spokespersons, Kontongs Bello, said the police acted on credible information from members of the public to rescue the kidnapped victims
He said, “On getting the information, the DPO Ehor Division, immediately swung into action, mobilized his team of Police operatives and vigilante group for immediate bush combing.”
He said the kidnappers on sighting the police and vigilante team opened fire but the superior fire power from the team of police operatives force the suspected kidnappers to abandon the victims and escaped with bullet wounds into the thick forest.
He said the nine kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, adding that bush combing was still ongoing for possible arrest of the suspected kidnappers.
