No fewer than twelve passengers have reportedly been kidnapped by gunmen on Afuze-Auchi Road in Owan East Local Government of Edo State.
The victims were said to be traveling to Auchi when the gunmen came out of the bush at a spot close to Ihevbe community to force their vehicle to a halt.
They were reportedly whisked away into the bush to an unknown destination.
However, two of the victims have reportedly been rescued by men of the Edo State Police Command, according to a police source.
“Heavily armed men have been terrorising the people in this area, Frequent users of the road are mostly affected. The bad portion of the road has helped the kidnappers in their activities. The recent kidnap has become one too many but I hope that respite will come our way soon.”
The police spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that two of the kidnapped victims have been rescued by the police, saying: “The police command is aware of the kidnapping. Two of the victims have been rescued by the police, but we can’t ascertain the number of persons kidnapped. The rescued victims are receiving treatment in the hospital. Meanwhile, police men are combing the bush to rescue other victims and arrest the perpetrators.”
