Police operatives in Ondo State have rescued 12 passengers who were abducted by gunmen after an attack on two commercial buses in Isua Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area.
The victims were taken hostage in the early hours of Saturday when armed kidnappers reportedly intercepted buses travelling from Benue State to Ibadan and forced several occupants into a nearby forest.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said security agencies launched an immediate rescue operation after receiving information about the attack.
He said, “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 mobilised 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 12 kidnapped victims, including the drivers of the affected buses, were successfully rescued alive.”
According to the police, the rescued passengers have been taken to a medical facility for treatment and necessary support.
The command stated that efforts are continuing to locate and free other victims still in captivity, while security operatives intensify the hunt for the kidnappers.
Jimoh also revealed that the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, visited the affected community and held consultations with local leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen the ongoing operation.
He added that additional tactical personnel and intelligence resources have been deployed to the area to aid the rescue mission and track down those responsible for the abduction.
