The Benue State Police Command has effectively averted a kidnapping endeavor and rescued five individuals along the Ugbokpo–Agatu roadway in Apa Local Government Area of the state.
Security sources revealed that the occurrence transpired around 7:45 p.m. on March 13 while the Divisional Police Officer, DPO of Apa, was conducting visibility policing and confidence-building patrol along the Ugbokpo–Agatu corridor.
Per the sources, when the patrol team arrived at Ojantelle community, they encountered suspected abductors who had previously seized a Sharon vehicle with registration number EGB 407 YS.
The vehicle, operated by one Danladi John, carried four passengers and was en route from Ugbokpo to Agatu before being halted by the armed suspects.
Police operatives promptly engaged the kidnappers, resulting in a gunfire exchange that compelled the assailants to forsake the victims and flee into nearby thickets.
All five occupants of the vehicle were safely rescued without any injuries and subsequently permitted to continue their journey.
In the wake of the incident, police operatives initiated a search operation in the adjacent thickets in an effort to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The command assured the residents that endeavors are underway to track down the offenders and further enhance security along the roadway.
