The Benue State Police Command has successfully foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued a victim unhurt in the early hours of Christmas Day. The incident occurred at about 3:00 am along the Tiortu area, when one Akume Geoffrey, ‘M’, who was transiting from Gboko to Makurdi, was accosted by armed men suspected to be kidnappers. The suspects forcefully abducted the victim and were in the process of taking him deeper into a nearby thick forest.
Upon receiving a distress call, operatives of the Benue State Police Command swiftly swung into action and commenced intensive patrols and a coordinated search of the area. On sighting the police team and hearing the sirens, the perpetrators abandoned the victim and fled into the forest.
The victim, who escaped from the fleeing kidnappers, was successfully rescued by the police patrol team unhurt and with no ransom paid. He was subsequently taken to Abinse Police Station, where he was debriefed by the Benue State Commissioner of Police and later reunited with his family.
Responding to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the swift response, courage, and professionalism of the operatives involved in the operation. He reassured the good people of Benue State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, especially during the festive season.
CP Ifeanyi Emenari further assured residents that patrols, stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-led policing have been intensified across strategic locations in the state. Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through approved emergency channels.
According to a press release signed by the PPRO, Benue State Police Command, DSP Edet Udeme, efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
