The Benue State Police Command has successfully foiled a kidnap attempt on Christmas Day and rescued a victim, identified as Geoffrey Akume, along the Gboko–Makurdi Road in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday.
According to Edet, the incident occurred in the early hours of the day at Tiortu, while the victim was travelling from Gboko to Makurdi.
She explained that Akume was accosted by armed men suspected to be kidnappers, who forcefully abducted him and attempted to take him deeper into a nearby forest.
“Upon receipt of the distress information, operatives of the Benue State Police Command swiftly swung into action, commencing intensive patrols and a coordinated search of the area,” Edet said.
She added that the swift police response forced the kidnappers to abandon their victim and flee.
“On sighting the police team and hearing the sirens, the perpetrators abandoned the victim and fled into the forest,” she stated.
Edet noted that the victim was rescued unhurt, with no ransom paid.
“The police patrol team successfully rescued the victim, who escaped from the fleeing kidnappers unhurt and without any ransom being paid,” she said.
The victim was subsequently taken to the Abinse Police Station, where he was debriefed by the Benue State Commissioner of Police before being reunited with his family.
Edet disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the swift response, courage and professionalism of the operatives involved in the operation.
She added that the police boss reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, especially during the festive season.
“He further assured the good people of Benue that patrols, stop-and-search operations and intelligence-led policing have been intensified across strategic locations in the state,” Edet said.
The police spokesperson urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through approved emergency channels.
