SAHARA REPORTERS
The Enugu State command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the attack and abduction of some passengers at the Amechi-Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway.
SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen had abducted 11 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.
Confirming in the incident in a release on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, revealed its operatives rescued some passengers remaining three that were still in the kidnappers’ den.
Ndukwe, who started his statement by describing the report of the kidnap of the passengers as “spurious, mischievous and misleading,” ended up, however, saying that a manhunt of the criminals to rescue the three he said were missing had been launched.
The statement partly read: “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.
“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. Thence, 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 neigbouring States’ security forces to ensure watertight security on major highways,” the statement noted.
SaharaReporters reported on May 6, 2024 how some gunmen on military uniforms laid siege on the same road for several hours, injuring several passengers.
Attacks on the road which have become a regular feature happened about four poles apart from two Military checkpoints immediately after crossing Ebonyi/Enugu boundary in Amechi-Idodo, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State.