Gunmen abduct 12 passengers in Edo, police rescue two

The Edo State Police Command on Thursday said it rescued two out of the 12 kidnapped victims in the state.

The 12 victims were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Tuesday on the Afuze-Auchi Road close to Ihevbe Community in Owan East Local Government of Edo.

The abductees were said to be traveling to Auchi when the gunmen emerged from the bush, forced their vehicle to a halt and whisked the victims into the bush.

A source told The PUNCH that the kidnappers, who were heavily armed, have been terrorising the are.

“The kidnappers have been terrorising the people of that area and frequent users of that road. The road is also bad which could aid the nefarious activities of these gunmen.

“The recent kidnap has become one too many and hopefully respite will come our way soon,” he added.

The command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident, said two of the kidnapped victims have been rescued by the police.

He said, “The police command is aware of the kidnapping. Two of the victims have been rescued by the police, but we can’t ascertain the number of persons kidnapped. The rescued victims are receiving treatment at the hospital.”

He said the police are still combing the bush to rescue other victims and arrest the perpetrators.

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