The Nigeria Police Force have rescued 11 of the 18 passengers abducted by gunmen on the Benin–Akure highway near Obarenren village in Ovia north-east local government of Edo state.
The passengers were kidnapped on December 12 after the assailants allegedly stopped their vehicle at gunpoint, fired shots and forced the victims into the bush.
Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson of the Edo state police command, confirmed the development on Sunday.
Ikoedem said the command received a distress call shortly after the attack and immediately mobilised security operatives.
She said the police, working with the army, vigilantes and local hunters, launched a bush-combing operation to track the kidnappers.
“On Sunday, 11 of the kidnapped passengers were successfully rescued, while seven others are still in the custody of their abductors,” she said.
Ikoedem assured that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims, even as she urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, expressing confidence that the remaining passengers would be rescued unhurt.
