The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnapped passengers following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in the Ankpenchi axis of Amla Forest, Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on recent security operations by the command. The rescue was confirmed by multiple reports published on September 18–19, 2026.
According to the police commissioner, armed men intercepted a commercial bus at about 11:00 p.m. on September 13, 2026, along the Ankpenchi-Ogobia axis and abducted 13 passengers.
Following the attack, police operatives launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations, leading to the initial rescue of four victims, while nine others remained in the custody of the kidnappers.
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CP Nwadiogbu said the breakthrough came in the early hours of September 18, when operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, alongside other tactical teams, stormed the suspected kidnappers’ camp in Amla Forest after acting on credible intelligence.
The operation triggered an exchange of gunfire, during which eight of the remaining nine victims were successfully rescued.
However, the operation was marred by the death of the ninth victim.
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The commissioner said the rescued victims informed the police that the victim had sustained fatal injuries during the initial attack and later died in another part of the forest.
The eight rescued victims are currently safe and receiving necessary attention, while police operatives continue efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate and recover the deceased victim’s remains.
Suspect Arrested, Locally Made Pistol Recovered
In a separate operation, the commissioner disclosed that police operatives attached to the Otukpo Area Command arrested a suspect identified as Sunday Ogwuche during a stop-and-search operation on September 11.
A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspect.
Nwadiogbu said investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the firearm and determine whether the suspect has links to other criminal activities.
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The Benue Police Command has continued to urge residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking criminal elements and preventing further attacks.
