Police rescue abducted GUO bus passengers

The Edo State Police Command has said its operatives rescued nine victims from two separate kidnapping incidents in the state.

The Command said the victims are passengers or a GUO bus who were abducted along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, and residents of Imeakabu/Itsukwi communities held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Benin City.

Ikoedem said all the victims of the GUO bus incident, who are five in number, were rescued as well as the four victims held captive at the Imiegba forest in Agenebode.

She said the victims were rescued unhurt following the immediate and massive deployment of tactical teams, intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and other operational resources by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Monday Agbonika, to the affected corridor.

“The Edo State Police Command is pleased to inform the general public that all victims abducted during the recent kidnapping incident along the Benin–Lagos Expressway have been successfully rescued alive.

“This breakthrough was achieved following the immediate and massive deployment of tactical teams, intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and other operational resources by the Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, to the affected corridor.

“The sustained rescue efforts, coordinated bush-combing operations, and strategic domination of the area exerted pressure on the kidnappers ultimately leading to the safe rescue of all victims.

“They have since received medical evaluation and treatment, and reunited with their families.

“In a related development, the Command also successfully rescued four other kidnapped victims who were abducted earlier this month and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode.

“They have likewise received medical attention and are safe making a total of nine kidnapped victims rescued,” the Edo Police spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Agbonika, has reassured the public, particularly commuters and residents, that security deployment along the Benin–Lagos Expressway and adjoining communities has been significantly strengthened.

Agbonika added that tactical, intelligence, and operational assets have been fully activated across the axis, assuring that deployment will remain in place until the route is completely safe and secure for all road users.

He disclosed that the Command is also intensifying efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, expressing confidence that all those involved will be tracked down and brought to justice in the shortest possible time.