The Edo State Police Command has rescued nine kidnapped passengers, including victims of a recent attack involving a GUO transport bus along the Benin-Lagos expressway.
In a statement on Saturday, Eno Ikioedem, police public relations officer of the Edo command, said operatives rescued all victims alive following intensified operations in the area.
The police said the rescue followed the immediate deployment of tactical teams, intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and other operational resources ordered by Monday Agbonika, commissioner of police in the state.
According to the statement, operatives carried out sustained bush-combing operations and strategic domination of the corridor, which pressured the kidnappers and forced them to abandon the victims.
“All victims abducted during the recent kidnapping incident along the Benin–Lagos expressway have been successfully rescued alive,” the statement read.
The police added that the victims have received medical attention and have since reunited with their families.
Meanwhile, the command also rescued four other victims who were abducted earlier this month and held in captivity in the Imiegba forest in Agenebode.
The police said the victims were also treated and are safe, bringing the total number of rescued persons to nine.
Furthermore, the command assured commuters and residents that security along the Benin-Lagos expressway has been strengthened.
It said tactical and intelligence deployments have been activated across the corridor and will remain in place until the route is fully secured.
The police added that efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the perpetrators.
“We are confident that all those involved will be tracked down and brought to justice in the shortest possible time,” the statement added.