The Edo State Police Command yesterday announced the rescue of 16 out of 18 passengers abducted by gunmen along the Benin–Auchi Highway.
The victims, who were reportedly heading to Abuja in a newly introduced Edo Line vehicle, were forced into the bush before security operatives arrived at the scene.
A video of the incident, which has since gone viral, showed a long stretch of vehicles parked on both sides of the highway as terrified motorists fled the area.
At the time of the attack, the abductors had not established contact with the families of the victims nor made any ransom demands.
Confirming the development yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Edo State Command, SP Moses Iyamu, said 16 of the abducted passengers had been rescued.
Iyamu further disclosed that security operatives had intensified search-and-rescue operations in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters to secure the release of the two remaining victims still held by the kidnappers.
