Police rescue 9 kidnapped Benue worshippers, arrest 4 suspects
The Benue State Police Command weekend mentioned it has secured the discharge of 9 worshippers kidnapped throughout an evening vigil at St John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Ado native authorities space, and arrested 4 suspects in reference to the crime.
In an announcement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, mentioned the victims had been freed after coordinated operations involving the command and different safety companies.
“Operatives of the Ado Division, appearing on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects, Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim, in reference to the night-vigil kidnapping incident,” she mentioned.
Ms Edet said that the 2 suspects had been arrested on 11 February and had been discovered with 5 rounds of seven.62mm ammunition.
She mentioned they had been subsequently handed over to the Inspector Normal of Police’s Intelligence Response Staff for additional investigation.
She said additional that a follow-up operation on 14 February led to a raid on the hideout of one of many suspects.
“The operation led to the restoration of 1 AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of seven.62mm ammunition, in addition to the arrest of two extra suspects believed to be key members of the kidnapping syndicate,” she mentioned.
The police spokesperson added that investigations had established a hyperlink between the suspects and the kidnapping on the church.
She mentioned sustained search operations throughout the Ado axis and neighbouring communities mounted strain on the group, ensuing within the launch of the victims unhurt.
Efforts are ongoing to arrest different members of the community, she added.
The Inspector Normal of Police has additionally accredited the deployment of the Police Air Wing and extra tactical groups to Benue state to strengthen surveillance and intelligence-led operations, the assertion mentioned.
It was earlier reported that gunmen kidnapped 9 worshippers round 2 a.m. throughout a 30-day vigil at St John’s Catholic Church.
(Premium Occasions)