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The Edo State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt along the Benin-Abraka Road, rescuing all passengers aboard a commercial bus attacked by suspected kidnappers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, said the incident occurred at about 6:46 p.m. on June 21, 2026, near the NNPC Pipeline axis, where a failed section of the road has reportedly become a hotspot for criminal activities.
According to the statement, armed kidnappers intercepted a Muyi Line Transport Company bus with registration number BEN 730 YE travelling from Abraka to Benin City. The assailants allegedly opened fire on the vehicle and forced the driver to stop.
Police operatives attached to the Ugo Division responded promptly to a distress call and engaged the suspects in a gun battle. Overpowered by the operatives’ superior firepower and tactical response, the kidnappers abandoned the operation and fled into the surrounding bush.
All passengers on board the bus were rescued safely. However, one of the passengers, Isaac Olotu Temitope from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, sustained a pellet injury to his right toe during the attack. He was taken to the Ugo Health Centre for treatment and was later discharged.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, has deployed reinforcement teams from the command headquarters to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Agbonika commended the officers involved in the operation for their swift response and bravery, while reassuring residents and road users of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
