Police rescue nine kidnapped victims along Benin–Lagos Expressway

The Edo State Police Command says it has successfully rescued nine kidnapped victims from two separate abduction incidents along the Benin–Lagos corridor and adjoining forest areas.

The Command disclosed this in an official press release signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, on Friday.

According to the statement, the breakthrough followed coordinated tactical operations, intelligence deployment, aerial surveillance, and sustained bush-combing efforts ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.

It stated, “@EdoPoliceNG is pleased to inform the general public that all victims abducted during the recent kidnapping incident along the Benin–Lagos Expressway have been successfully rescued alive.”

The Command explained that the rescue was achieved after “immediate and massive deployment of tactical teams, intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and other operational resources,” adding that sustained pressure on the kidnappers forced the release of the victims.

It further noted, “The sustained rescue efforts, coordinated bush-combing operations, and strategic domination of the area exerted pressure on the kidnappers, ultimately leading to the safe rescue of all victims. They have since received medical evaluation and treatment, and reunited with their families.”

In a related operation, the Command confirmed the rescue of additional abductees from another location, “In a related development, the Command also successfully rescued four (4) other kidnapped victims who were abducted earlier this month and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode.”

The statement added that all victims were medically examined and confirmed safe, bringing the total number rescued to nine.

The Command assured residents that security deployment along the Benin–Lagos Expressway and surrounding forest corridors has been significantly reinforced.

Earlier, the Command had confirmed that suspected armed kidnappers attacked a GUO Transport Company bus along the Lagos–Benin Express Road in the Iguobazuwa axis on April 18, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m.

According to the earlier statement, “The incident occurred when suspected kidnappers attacked a GUO Transport Company bus with registration number FA 280 YJ.”

The attackers reportedly opened fire on the vehicle, killing the driver and abducting passengers.

The police had said, “The attackers opened fire on the vehicle, killing the driver in the process, while five people were on board at the time of the incident.”

One female passenger was rescued with gunshot injuries and taken to the hospital, while three others were taken into the forest.

The driver’s body was deposited at a mortuary, while the recovered bus was secured for investigation.