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By Abdullahi Abubakar
The Benue State Police Command has countered widespread speculation surrounding last week’s abduction of passengers along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway, revealing that rescued victims have identified suspected herdsmen as those behind the attack.
Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari made the disclosure while presenting the rescued victims to Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi, stating that preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts indicate that militia herdsmen operating as bandits carried out the kidnap.
Among the victims were candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) who were travelling to Otukpo for their examinations. All those abducted were rescued unharmed after an intensified multi-agency security operation mounted pressure on the kidnappers.
According to Emenari, the rescue was executed in stages, beginning with the release of five passengers before the remaining 13 were freed on Sunday morning.
“With the earlier release of five occupants of the vehicle, the remaining 13 were rescued this Sunday morning unhurt,” he said.
He added that the success followed the deployment of tactical teams ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, forcing the suspects to abandon their captives.
The police commissioner further disclosed that eight suspects are already in custody, with seven believed to be herdsmen linked to the abduction.
“We already have eight suspects in custody, and out of this number, seven are suspected herdsmen bandits connected with the crime. Some of the victims have been able to identify them,” he stated.
