Edo police foil kidnapping attempt along Benin–Abraka road, rescue passengers

The Edo State police command says it rescued passengers aboard a Muyi Line commercial bus and foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Benin–Abraka Road.

In a statement on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the incident occurred on June 21, 2026, at about 6:46 p.m.

“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 travelling from Abraka to Benin City.

  
“The armed suspects reportedly fired at the vehicle and forced the driver to stop,” she said.

She said operatives of the division were swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. According to her, the superior firepower and tactical response of the police forced the suspects to abandon their mission and flee into the surrounding bush.

“All occupants of the vehicle were rescued. 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,” Ms Ikoedem said.

She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies.