The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight people, including a Catholic priest of the Otukpo Diocese, Rev. Fr. John Otache, following their abduction along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area.

The police also arrested two suspects in connection with the incident, while efforts continue to apprehend other suspected kidnappers who escaped during the operation.

The command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that the victims were kidnapped last Tuesday while returning from a village market along the road, before Ipiga Village.

According to Aondongu, police operatives, working alongside personnel of the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, launched a coordinated operation after receiving information about the abduction.

Two of the victims were rescued while the remaining six were freed bringing the total number of rescued persons to eight.

The arrested suspects were identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel. The police said they were assisting investigators with inquiries into the incident.

Aondongu added that the rescued victims had been taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo for medical examinations and necessary treatment.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the officers involved in the operation and acknowledged the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force.

The command urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

Benue police rescue Catholic priest Rev. Fr. John Otache and seven others abducted in Ohimini LGA, arrest two suspects and continue the search for fleeing suspects.