The Benue State Police Command has rescued a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache, and seven other kidnap victims following a coordinated security operation in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
Two suspects were arrested during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
Otache, who serves in the Otukpo Diocese, and the seven victims were kidnapped last Tuesday while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, before Ipiga village.
The police spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Makurdi.
He said the operation involved police operatives, personnel of the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
According to him, two of the victims were rescued on October 16, while the remaining six regained their freedom on October 18.
The police arrested two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, during the rescue operations.
Aondongu said the rescued victims had been taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examinations and treatment.
He added that the suspects were assisting investigators as security operatives intensified efforts to track down other fleeing members of the gang.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers for their prompt response and professionalism.
He also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force for their support in tackling violent crime in the state.
The command urged residents to provide credible and timely information to aid security operations, assuring them of its commitment to protecting lives and property.
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