The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with the April 15 abduction of passengers along Otukpo axis.
Police spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, disclosed this in a statement released to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday, noting that the arrests followed a coordinated operation involving the police and other security agencies.
According to her, the joint team carried out a targeted search-and-rescue mission across Amla Forest and surrounding communities, which also resulted in the rescue of some abducted victims. However, she did not specify the exact number of those rescued.
“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while the investigation is ongoing.
“The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“The command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus,” she said.
Udeme added that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has assured residents that security operatives are intensifying efforts, in collaboration with other agencies, to secure the release of remaining victims.
She also called on members of the public to support ongoing operations by providing timely and credible information that could aid the rescue efforts.
