The Enugu State Command has confirmed the rescue of passengers who were kidnapped at the Amechi-Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway.
It was gathered that the gunmen suspected to be herdsmen abducted the passengers on Tuesday, 16th July 2024.
The victims, who were reported to be students from tertiary institutions in Ebonyi State, were travelling in a commercial bus from Awka, Anambra State to Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital before the incident happened.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, July 19, revealed its operatives rescued some 13 passengers while three others are still missing.
Ndukwe described the report of the kidnap of the passengers as “spurious, mischievous and misleading,”
“The Enugu State Police Command wishes to categorically state that the report alleging that eleven (11) people were kidnapped at the Amechi-Idodo area of the Enugu/Abakaliki highway is false, mischievous, and aimed at creating panic and to mislead unsuspecting members of the public,” the statement read.
“This stance is given the total contradiction and distortion of facts surrounding the incident of an attempted abduction along the said road on July 16, 2024, around 6pm
“Contrary to the misleading report, a Joint Security Operatives, upon receipt of a distress call on the incident, moved to the Enugu/Ebonyi States border point along the Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway, on the said date and time. Hence, they rescued thirteen (13) occupants of a Nissan commercial bus. However, three (3) others, who scampered into nearby bushes upon the attack, are yet to be located
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the sustenance of ongoing operations to locate and rescue the three (3) missing victims, and also hunt down the assailants
“He reassures commitment to sustain collaborative efforts with internal and neighbouring States’ security forces to ensure watertight security on major highways,” the statement noted.