By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Ondo State Police Command has rescued 12 victims abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Isua Akoko axis of Ondo State.
The victims were rescued following a coordinated operation involving police operatives, local hunters and other security stakeholders.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Abayomi Jimoh, the victims were abducted in the early hours of Saturday, when suspected armed kidnappers intercepted two commercial Hummer buses travelling from Benue State to Ibadan.
The statement said the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. at Isua, where the attackers reportedly forced passengers out of the vehicles and marched them into a nearby forest.
Following a distress report received by the police, the command immediately launched a coordinated rescue operation.
The police disclosed that operatives of the command, alongside local hunters and other security stakeholders, were mobilised to the scene and commenced intensive bush-combing operations across surrounding forests and difficult terrains.
The command added that intelligence-led surveillance and strategic tracking operations were also intensified to trail the fleeing suspects and rescue the remaining victims.
According to the statement, the sustained pressure mounted by the combined security team led to the successful rescue of 12 kidnapped victims, including the drivers of the affected buses.
The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention and support, while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend all those involved in the crime.
The command stated that additional tactical and intelligence assets had been deployed to reinforce ongoing rescue and manhunt operations in the area.
As part of the operation, the commissioner of police reportedly visited the scene of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment and held meetings with community leaders, local vigilante groups and other stakeholders.
During the engagements, the police commissioner stressed the need for sustained collaboration between security agencies and local communities to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
Ohagwu reaffirmed the commitment of the command to protecting lives and property across the state and maintaining pressure on criminal elements.
He also commended the bravery and professionalism displayed by police operatives, tactical teams, local hunters and other security collaborators involved in the rescue operation.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations and crime prevention efforts.
