Police officers. Photo: TheCable
The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnap victims, including the Catholic priest of Otukpo Diocese, Rev. Fr. John Otache.
The Command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, stated this in a release issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the state capital.
According to the statement, two suspects were arrested during the rescue operation.
Aondongu explained that the Catholic priest and the seven victims were kidnapped last Tuesday while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, before Ipiga Village in the Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
The statement read in part, “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command, in conjunction with personnel of the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, were immediately mobilised to the area and launched a coordinated rescue operation.
“The operation led to the successful rescue of eight victims, with two rescued on 16th October 2026 and six on 18th October 2026.
“In the course of the rescue operations, two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, were arrested.”
The Command’s spokesperson said that the rescued victims had been taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and necessary medical attention.
He added that the arrested suspects were already assisting the police with the ongoing investigation, and added that efforts were being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal gang and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
He said that the State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu and the Assistant IG, Police Mobile Force, for their support to the Command in the ongoing fight against violent crime in the state.
He noted that the CP also commended the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism and commitment to the protection of lives and property.
The command, however, reassured residents of the state of its readiness and determination to sustain intelligence-led operations and deny criminal elements the opportunity to threaten the peace and security of the state.
The command also called on members of the public to continue to support the police with timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations.