Police foil kidnap attempt and rescue victim in Benue State
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that its officers foiled a kidnap attempt and successfully rescued a victim in the early hours of Christmas Day, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb abduction crimes in the region. The incident took place at Tiortu, along the Gboko–Makurdi Road, when a man identified as Geoffrey Akume was travelling from Gboko to Makurdi and was accosted by armed individuals suspected to be kidnappers. The assailants reportedly forcefully abducted the victim and began moving him toward a nearby thick forest when the police were alerted and responded promptly.
According to the police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, operatives of the Benue State command launched intensive patrols and a coordinated search of the area after receiving the distress information. On sighting the approaching police team and hearing sirens, the suspected kidnappers abandoned the victim and fled into the forest, allowing the police patrol to free the man without any ransom being paid. Akume was found unhurt and taken to the Abinse Police Station, where he was debriefed by the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, before being reunited with his family.
Commissioner Emenari praised the swift response, courage and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation, reassuring residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, especially during the festive season. He also noted that patrols, stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-led policing have been intensified across strategic locations in the state to prevent further attacks. Members of the public were encouraged to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities promptly to the nearest police station or through approved emergency channels as efforts continue to track down the fleeing suspects.
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