By USMAN ALIYU

The police command in Edo has rescued all 13 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Benin-Lagos expressway, following a coordinated operation involving aerial surveillance, drones and bush-combing tactics.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Benin City.

Ikoedem said the passengers were abducted on May 9 at Ogua Community along the Benin-Lagos road when armed hoodlums attacked a commercial bus belonging to Young Shall Grow Motors travelling from Akwa Ibom to Lagos.

According to her, a female passenger sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

Ikoedem stated that the command immediately launched coordinated rescue and bush-combing operations after the incident.

“Following the incident, the command immediately launched coordinated rescue and bush combing operations, rescuing five passengers comprising two adults and three children, and has remained on the trail of the kidnappers,” she said.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that operatives, through intelligence-driven policing and technological support, engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel on May 10 and rescued two additional victims.

“Through the deployment of drones, aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven policing and sustained technological support, operatives of the command engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and successfully rescued two additional passengers,” she said.

Ikoedem said the remaining six abducted passengers had now been rescued unhurt.

She quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, as commending the courage and resilience of the operatives involved in the operation.

The commissioner, according to her, assured residents that the command remained committed to apprehending the perpetrators.

“The command is not relenting in its efforts as intensive bush combing operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime,” the commissioner said. (NAN)