The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 16 passengers who were abducted along the ever-busy Benin-Auchi Road on Friday.
The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the passengers were freed following a coordinated search and rescue operation conducted by the police in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters. According to him, the incident occurred on Friday at about 4:30 pm, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims. He, however, declined to disclose the total number of people abducted, fueling speculation that some passengers might still be held in captivity.
A video that surfaced on Saturday morning showed an abandoned Edoline bus and a Toyota Corolla car by the roadside, with a narrator stating that about 18 passengers had been taken into the bush by suspected kidnappers. In the video, the narrator noted that the abduction had just occurred and that police officers had already arrived at the scene. Several vehicles, including private cars and heavy-duty trucks, were seen parked along the highway as drivers hesitated to continue their journeys out of fear of running into the gunmen. The narrator, who later left the scene, urged motorists to proceed with their journeys, reassuring them that security operatives were already on ground.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victims, particularly those in the Edoline bus, were travelling to Abuja when armed men intercepted them, forcing them into the forest before the intervention of security forces. The Edo Police Command swiftly mobilized operatives alongside local vigilante groups and hunters, combing the forest in a joint operation that led to the rescue of 16 abducted passengers. Authorities have assured that the operation will continue until all remaining captives are freed. Yamu added that the state command has intensified its presence along major highways in Edo to curb the rising spate of abductions and reassure motorists of their safety.
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The Benin-Auchi Road, one of the busiest highways in southern Nigeria, has increasingly become a hotspot for kidnappers who target commercial vehicles and private motorists. Reports of frequent abductions along this axis have raised concerns among travellers and residents. Across Nigeria, highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, the Ore-Benin Road, and parts of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway have witnessed a surge in kidnapping incidents in recent years, turning road travel into a risky venture.
According to data compiled by SBM Intelligence, more than 3,600 people were kidnapped in Nigeria between January and December 2024, with ransom demands exceeding ₦6 billion. Edo State ranked among the states with high incidents of highway abductions, alongside Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara. Analysts say these numbers only represent documented cases, with the actual figures likely higher due to unreported incidents. By mid-2025, security analysts estimate that at least 1,200 new kidnap cases have already been recorded nationwide, underscoring the persistence of the crisis despite repeated government assurances.
The latest incident has once again triggered conversations about the state of security on Nigerian highways. Some Edo residents have taken to social media to commend the police for the swift rescue of 16 passengers, while others expressed fears that the unchecked activities of kidnappers could paralyze economic and social life in the state. Commercial drivers and transport unions have also voiced concern. According to a bus driver who plies the Benin-Abuja route, “We live in fear every day on this road. Sometimes, you see people running out of the bush after escaping kidnappers. We thank God for the passengers rescued, but government must do more.”
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Security analysts insist that while the rescue operation is commendable, the real challenge lies in preventing such abductions before they occur. They recommend increased patrols, deployment of surveillance technology, and sustained collaboration with local communities along the highways. Some have also called for the establishment of rapid response units dedicated specifically to highway security, arguing that kidnappers exploit poor communication and delayed responses from security forces.
For travellers, incidents like the Benin-Auchi abduction serve as a reminder of the risks associated with road travel in Nigeria. Many transport companies now advise passengers to travel during daylight hours and avoid night journeys. Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has assured that efforts will not be relaxed until all victims are accounted for and the perpetrators brought to justice. The rescue of 16 abducted passengers has provided some relief, but with several others feared still in captivity, the operation remains ongoing.
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