By Godwin Edeh & Queen Asela
The Benue State Police Command, during a tactical operation and swift response, has successfully rescued five kidnapped victims abducted along a local road track in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, DSP Edet Udeme, on 23rd December, 2025, at about 10:00 pm, the tactical team of the Command attached to Ugbokolo, while on routine patrol within its Area of Responsibility, received a distress call indicating an ongoing robbery and kidnapping incident near Efoyo Village, in Ugbokolo.
On receipt of the distress call, the patrol team responded swiftly and moved to the scene. Upon arrival, the gang of kidnappers fled, leaving behind a Golf vehicle which was recovered. Two passengers, identified as Ochigbo John Paul, aged 25 years, and Joseph Ominyi, aged 24 years, who had escaped into the bush, were rescued.
However, three other passengers could not be immediately located. The following morning, at about 9:00 am, the Command received credible information that one of the missing victims, Okoh Maria, aged 22 years, had escaped from captivity at Agadagba, Ohimini Local Government Area. Detectives were immediately dispatched, and she was successfully rescued.
Following this development, the Command intensified search and rescue operations in collaboration with the Benue State Protection Guard and community members to comb identified bushes and forest areas within Ugbokolo axis and Ohimini Local Government Area. As a result of sustained pressure and coordinated operations, the remaining two victims, Omale Abah Joseph, aged 28 years, and Lucky Adoyi, aged 45 years, were released by their abductors on 26th December, 2025, at about 5:30 pm, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Responding to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, commended the swift response and professionalism displayed by officers involved in the operation, as well as the collaboration of sister security agencies and community members. He reassured the good people of Benue State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across the State and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to the Police.
