11 Rescued Kidnap Victims Handed Over To Benue Governor
A total of 11 kidnapped victims rescued by a security joint operation in Benue State have been handed over to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia on Thursday.
The governor received the rescued Kidnap victims at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House Makurdi.
They include three from Benue, three from Taraba, two each from Cross River and Ebonyi, and one from Enugu State.
They were abducted and held captive by bandits operating around the Sankera axis of the state, and their release was the result of a coordinated operation involving the Department of State Services, Nigerian Police Force, Civil Defence, and other security agencies.
In his remarks, the governor, who described the victims’ ordeal as traumatic and painful, expressed deep appreciation to the security agencies and operatives involved in the rescue operation. He praised the victims for their resilience in the face of terror.
“It’s quite a horrifying experience. You went through a lot of trauma, but thank God that an operation was successfully carried out at the Sankera axis and you were rescued,” he added.
“We are grateful to the DSS, the State Police Command, Civil Defence, and all members of the joint task force who made this happen. This is evidence of hard work and continued sacrifice. Many of these operatives are out in the field doing their part, and so must we all.”
Governor Alia emphasised the importance of collaboration and timely information sharing in combating insecurity, and urged residents to desist from withholding valuable intelligence that could aid the work of security agencies.
“Let us work together to restore peace to our state and protect our borders. There may still be innocent Nigerians in the hands of kidnappers, let’s work to set them free,” he added.
He also assured that the rescued individuals would receive the needed medical attention and support before returning them safely to their various families and communities.
The Director General, Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Akaa Gbamwuan (rtd), who presented the victims to the governor, commended him for the proactive leadership that made the rescue possible.
“These victims are from various states and were held in kidnappers’ dens before being rescued by our gallant security agencies. We appreciate all efforts and the coordination made possible by the Governor,” Gbamwuan said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, addressed recent speculations surrounding insecurity in Agatu Local Government Area, saying contrary to reports of nine fatalities, only two persons were confirmed dead in what appeared to be isolated incidents related to robbery or culpable homicide.
“Our tactical teams and the area commander are already on the ground in Agatu to respond swiftly to any breach of peace. While we acknowledge the existence of incidents, it is incorrect to suggest that nine people were killed in recent days,” Emenari said.
He also reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to transparency, pledging regular briefings and open communication with the public.
