Security forces supported by local vigilance groups and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard have rescued 11 passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus.
The victims were rescued in a forest near Ondo village in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The kidnapped victims, it was gathered, were freed on June 29 following sustained and coordinated search operations by the security forces.
TheHintsNews reports that the passengers were kidnapped on June 22 while travelling along the Otukpo–Enugu highway in a Benue Links Hummer bus.
It was gathered that the kidnappers were moving the captives through a bush path around Ondo village in Ugbokolo.
However, in a swift response, the rescue teams mobilised and launched a coordinated search operation in the area.
After several hours of intense combing of the forest, the victims were found alive and safely evacuated to Ugbokolo town, where they were provided immediate care.
The victims rescued are: Bam Joseph, Doom Terhile, Uju Mercy, Ashika Linda, Atule Ladi, Undia Iveren, Terfa Kwshdoo, Akume Hembadoon, Ikpeen Msendoo, Mlumun Hurt, and Philip Igbuan.
One of the victims, Philip Igbuan suffered a deep machete wound to the head inflicted by the kidnappers and was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Ugbokolo for medical treatment.