The Benue State Police Command has rescued nine passengers who were abducted along the Ankpenchi-Ogobia road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The rescue operation was carried out in the early hours of Friday, September 18, 2026, after security operatives stormed a suspected kidnappers’ camp in the Ankpenchi axis of Amla Forest.

The state Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the development during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Makurdi.

According to the police, suspected kidnappers had intercepted a commercial bus at about 11pm on September 13 and abducted all 13 passengers travelling along the route.

Four of the victims were initially rescued during the security operation, while nine others remained in the custody of the kidnappers.

Nwadiogbu said operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit, alongside other tactical teams, had been conducting search and rescue operations since September 14 based on credible intelligence.

He said the teams eventually located and attacked the suspected kidnappers’ camp at about 6:30am on September 18, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

Eight of the remaining victims were rescued during the operation. However, the police said one of the abductees sustained fatal injuries while in the kidnappers’ custody and died in another part of the forest.

The development brings the number of rescued passengers to 12 out of the 13 people who were originally abducted, while efforts are ongoing to recover the deceased victim’s remains.

The rescued victims are receiving necessary attention, while security operatives have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.

The police also urged residents to continue providing credible information that could assist ongoing operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.