One dies in kidnappers’ den as police rescue eight surviving victims in Benue

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi 

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, has disclosed that his men have rescued eight kidnapped victims in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner who briefed newsmen on Friday concerning the significant security developments recorded by the command in recent days, expressed joy particularly on the successful rescue of victims.

He narrated that: “On 13 September 2026, at about 2300 hours, armed men intercepted a commercial bus travelling along the Ankpenchi-Ogobia axis of Ohimini LGA and abducted 13 persons.

He said following the incident, operatives of the Command immediately commenced coordinated efforts to rescue the victims resulting in the rescue of four persons, while nine others remained in the custody of the kidnappers.

According to him, “In the early hours of today, 18 September 2026, at about 0630 hours, operatives of the Command attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (Vocal), alongside other tactical teams, who have since Monday 14/09/2026 been in the search and rescue operations, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the camp of the suspected kidnapping syndicate at the Ankpenchi axis of Amla Forest, Ohimini

“The operation resulted in an exchange of gunfire with the kidnappers, during which eight of the remaining victims were successfully rescued.

“Unfortunately, it was gathered from the victims that one of them who sustained fatal injuries from the kidnappers during the attack died in another area of the forest.

“The rescued victims are currently safe and receiving necessary attention, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate and recover the corpse of the deceased.

“Similarly, on 11 September 2026, operatives attached to the Otukpo Area Command, while conducting a stop-and-search operation, arrested a suspect identified as Sunday Ogwuche, from whom one locally fabricated pistol was recovered.”

The Commissioner said investigation is ongoing to establish the source of the firearm and his possible connection with other criminal activities.