Police rescue five passengers abducted along Benin–Lagos road

The Edo State police command says it rescued five passengers abducted from a Young Shall Grow Motors bus conveying travellers from Akwa Ibom State to Lagos State.

A female passenger lost her life when bandits waylaid the vehicle.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the incident occurred on May 9, 2026, at Ogua community along the Benin–Lagos Road.

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to update the general public on the kidnapping incident which occurred on 9th May, 2026, at Ogua Community along the Benin–Lagos Road, where armed kidnappers attacked a commercial bus belonging to Young Shall Grow Motors conveying thirteen (13) passengers from Akwa Ibom State to Lagos, during which a female passenger was shot by the hoodlums,” the statement read.

Ms Ikoedem said that following the incident, the command immediately launched coordinated rescue and bush-combing operations, leading to the rescue of five passengers, two adults and three children while operatives remained on the trail of the kidnappers.

“Furthermore, on 10th May, 2026, through the deployment of drones, aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven policing, and sustained technological support, operatives of the command engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and successfully rescued two additional passengers,” she added.

She stated that the command was pleased to inform the public that the remaining six abducted passengers have all been rescued unhurt.