Vigilant youths in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, have thwarted an alleged kidnapping operation along the Ugbokolo-Aokpe road, rescuing several victims and apprehending three suspects.
A resident of the community, who identified himself simply as Adah, told journalists via telephone that the incident occurred late Wednesday night, prompting local youths to organise a search operation after reports emerged that travellers had been abducted by armed men.
According to him, “Several persons were abducted by armed men on the road on Wednesday night, a development which prompted local youths to mobilise and launched a search operation in the area.
“The youths however tracked down the suspects, leading to the rescue of five victims and the arrest of three of the alleged kidnappers while one escaped.”
The five rescued victims were reportedly reunited with their families, while the three arrested suspects were handed over to security operatives for further investigation.
Confirming the development, Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Adah Inalegwu, said some travellers were indeed kidnapped along the Aokpe road on Wednesday night, but noted that authorities were yet to determine whether the three individuals apprehended by residents were actually involved in the crime.
Inalegwu said, “It’s true that some people were kidnapped yesterday (Wednesday night) on Aokpe road, and our vigilant youths quickly mobilised themselves and went after the kidnappers.
“When the heat was too much on the kidnappers they abandoned their victims and ran away, and the victims were successfully rescued yesterday (Wednesday) night.
“Today (Thursday) the community also saw three strangers and they presumed they were kidnappers but we are yet to get the full story whether they are Kidnappers or not.”
However, the Benue State Police Command said it had not received an official report of the incident as of the time of filing the report.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that she was yet to be briefed on the matter.
