Law enforcement detains seven individuals in connection with kidnapping in Benue

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The Police Command in Benue has arrested seven suspects over alleged connection with the April 15 abduction of some passengers in Otukpo.

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The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday.

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Udeme said that the arrests were made during a coordinated joint security operation involving the police and other security agencies, and a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas.

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She said that the operation also led to the rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention, but did not disclose the number of those rescued.

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“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing.

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“The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

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“The command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy, but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus,” the statement read.

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Udeme quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, as assuring residents that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims.

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She further urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information to aid ongoing operations.

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(NAN)

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