Police Foil K!dnapping Attempt On Edo Road, Re£scue Bus Passengers
Police Foil Kidnapping Attempt On Edo Road, Rescue Bus Passengers
The command further revealed that the attackers opened fire on the vehicle and compelled the driver to stop.
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have foiled a kidnap attempt along the Benin–Abraka Road and rescued passengers of a commercial bus that came under attack by suspected kidnappers.
The incident occurred on June 21, 2026, along a failed portion of the Benin–Abraka Road near the NNPC Pipeline axis, according to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem issued on Thursday.
The police disclosed that armed kidnappers intercepted a commercial bus belonging to Muyi Line Transport Company, with registration number BEN 730 YE, while it was travelling from Abraka to Benin City.
According to the statement, “At about 1846hrs, information was received from a concerned source that armed kidnappers had emerged at a failed portion of the road near the NNPC Pipeline axis and intercepted a commercial bus belonging to Muyi Line Transport Company, with registration number BEN 730 YE, which was traveling from Abraka to Benin City.”
The command further revealed that the attackers opened fire on the vehicle and compelled the driver to stop.
“The armed suspects reportedly fired at the vehicle and forced the driver to stop,” the statement said.
Following the distress call, operatives attached to the Ugo Division swiftly mobilised to the scene, where they confronted the criminals in a gun battle.
The police said the kidnappers were unable to carry out their mission due to the prompt response of the officers and were forced to retreat into the surrounding bush.
“Upon receiving the distress call, Operatives of Ugo division swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. However, due to the superior firepower and tactical response of the police, the criminals were forced to abandon their mission and flee into the surrounding bush,” the statement added.
The command confirmed that all occupants of the bus were rescued during the operation.
However, one of the passengers, identified as Mr. Isaac Olotu Temitope from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, sustained a pellet injury during the attack.
Providing details of his condition, the police stated, “One passenger, Mr. Isaac Olotu Temitope of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, sustained a pellet injury to his right toe. He was immediately taken to Ugo Health Centre where he received treatment and was discharged to continue his journey.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, has ordered an intensified manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
According to the statement, the police commissioner “has deployed reinforcements teams from the command headquarters to aid in tracking down and apprehending the fleeing suspects.”
Agbonika also commended the officers involved in the operation for their swift response and courage, while assuring residents and road users of the command’s commitment to securing lives and property across the state.
