The Edo State Police Command has rescued eight passengers, including three children, who were abducted on October 25, 2025, along the Benin–Akure Road, between Obarenren and Odunwongie communities.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, noting that efforts were ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining seven passengers still held by the kidnappers.

According to the statement, “On October 25, 2025, at about 5:00 p.m., a distress call was received by the Command while Ekiadolor Division operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene of the suspected kidnapping incident along the Benin–Akure Road, between Obarenren Community and Odunwongie Community.

“At the scene, it was revealed that at about 4:30 a.m., gunshots were heard between a military checkpoint and the Anti-Kidnapping checkpoint in the area. A 14-seater Hummer Bus with registration number KJA 119 XF, driven by one Francis Okeke of Afuze, Owan East Local Council, had been attacked by armed men, who took 15 passengers into the nearby bush.”

The police said the operatives “pursued the kidnappers into the forest and successfully rescued eight victims, including three children, unhurt. However, seven other passengers are still unaccounted for as efforts are intensely ongoing to locate and rescue them.”

Ikoedem added that “an aggressive manhunt for the perpetrators is currently in progress, with a full complement of technological support to ensure the safe return of the remaining victims, while the driver of the vehicle is assisting the police with investigation.”

The command assured the public that no effort would be spared in ensuring the safety of residents and commuters within the state, urging members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest police formation or through its emergency control room numbers.