Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Nigerian policemen in a tank

Three Nigerians  who were abducted on Monday by suspected kidnappers along the Benin-Lagos express way have been rescued unhurt by a combined team of operatives of Edo state police command and local hunters in the area.

The trio comprising two males and a female, whose identities were given simply as Humphrey, Kester and Ruth, were traveling from Lagos to Benin, and were abducted at a village after Okada at about 7:05 pm.

One of the victims said he was traveling in the bus in company of his wife before their abductors picked three of them randomly and took them away.

The victims who were rescued on Tuesday night, looked traumatized and exhausted when they were presented before journalists on Wednesday.

According to the Spokesman of Edo State Police Command, DSP Stephen Onwochei, the victims were abducted after the driver of the bus they were traveling in allegedly stopped to check a flat tyre.

Onwochei explained that the police, joined by local hunters, pursued the kidnappers until the victims were forcefully released. He added that clues left by the kidnappers revealed their identities and that they would soon be arrested.

Narrating their ordeal, the victims disclosed to journalists that they trekked through hills and valleys for several hours and slept in the bush.

They said their abductors who numbered about eight could not demand for ransom because of the constant movement and lack of phone network in the thick forest.
They were full of praises for the police and the local hunters for securing their release.

In another incident, a robbery suspect whose gang snatched an Audi 80 car has been shot dead in Benin.

The suspect was killed in a shoot-out with the police shortly after the gang  robbed a woman of her navy blue Audi 80 car with registration number Edo UBJ 381 AA.

Edo State Police Command spokesman, DSP Onwochei assured that other suspects who fled with bullets wound would soon be arrested.

Owner of the Audi car who gave her name as Mrs. Okungbowa, told journalists that she just closed from her shop when the armed men accosted her.

Mrs. Okungbowa who said the robbers took her car and money, expressed joy over the prompt response by the police.