No fewer than 12 passengers were abducted by suspected bandits on Friday in Isua Akoko, Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The victims were travelling in two commercial Toyota Hummer buses from Benue State to Ibadan, Oyo State, when armed men intercepted the vehicles and forced them to a halt.

The attackers reportedly marched the passengers into a nearby forest after seizing them.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Saturday in Akure, saying a co-ordinated rescue operation led to the successful recovery of all the 12 victims.

Police spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, immediately deployed operatives alongside local hunters and other security actors to the scene.

According to him, the joint team carried out an intensive bush-combing exercise and intelligence-driven tracking of the assailants.

“The sustained pressure mounted by the combined security team yielded significant success as twelve kidnapped victims, including the drivers of the affected buses, were rescued alive,” he said.

He added that the victims are receiving medical attention and support, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Mr Abayomi said the police have also deployed additional tactical and intelligence assets to the area to prevent further attacks.

He noted that the police commissioner visited the scene, where he engaged community leaders and vigilante groups, stressing the need for sustained collaboration to tackle insecurity.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to aid ongoing operations, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. (The nation)