The Benue State Police Command has rescued 13 passengers who were abducted along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were abducted on Aug. 13 when an 18-seater commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was attacked by gunmen.

The police had earlier confirmed that five passengers were rescued while security operatives continued efforts to locate the remaining 13.

The 13 victims were eventually rescued on Thursday night at Amla-Cho Forest in Otukpo Local Government Area following sustained search and rescue operations.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Benue, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

According to him, the rescue followed about five days of intense operations by police operatives working with local security personnel.

He said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, launched a night operation which culminated in the rescue of the victims at about 2 a.m. on Aug. 20.

The operation reportedly led to an encounter between the security operatives, the kidnappers and their captives inside the forest.

Aondongu described the rescue as a significant breakthrough in the command’s efforts to disrupt kidnapping activities in the state.

He said the command would continue its operations to track down criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents and travellers across Benue.

The rescue comes amid renewed security concerns along major routes in Benue, where travellers have recently been targeted by kidnappers.

The police urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against kidnapping and other violent crimes.