Benue State Police Command has foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued a victim unhurt in the early hours of yesterday.
The command’s public relations cfficer, Udeme Edet, who disclosed this in a statement, said the incident occurred at about 03:00 hours in the Tiortu area of Tarka local government area.
Edet said, “One Akume Geoffrey, male, who was transiting from Gboko to Makurdi, was accosted by armed men suspected to be kidnappers. The suspects abducted the victim and were in the process of taking him deeper into a nearby thick forest.
“Upon receipt of the distress information, operatives of the Benue State Police Command swung into action and commenced intensive patrols and a coordinated search of the area for the victim and his abductors.
“On sighting the police team, the perpetrators abandoned the victim and fled into the forest,” the police image maker said.
The victim was rescued by the police patrol team unhurt and with no ransom paid, Edet said, adding that he was taken to Abinse Police Station, where he was debriefed by the Benue State commissioner of police, and later reunited with his family.
The commissioner of police, Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the swift response, courage and professionalism of the operatives involved in the operation.
He reassured the good people of Benue State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, especially during the festive season.
Emenari further assured residents that patrols, stop‑and‑search operations, and intelligence‑led policing have been intensified across strategic locations in the state.
He encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through approved emergency channels.
The PPRO disclosed that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
