Security operatives in Enugu State have successfully rescued 13 passengers who were kidnapped along the Amechi-Idodo section of the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway. The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, when gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, abducted the passengers. The victims, mainly students from various tertiary institutions in Ebonyi State, were traveling in a commercial bus from Awka, Anambra State, to Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.

According to the Enugu State Command spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the rescue operation took place on Friday, July 19. While 13 passengers were safely recovered, three others remain missing. Ndukwe dismissed earlier reports about the kidnapping as false and intended to cause panic.

The Enugu State Police Command clarified that the incident involved an attempted abduction around 6 PM on July 16. Joint Security Operatives responded promptly to a distress call and managed to rescue the bus’s 13 occupants. However, three individuals who ran into nearby bushes during the attack are still unaccounted for.

Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered ongoing operations to find and rescue the missing victims and capture the attackers. He also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation with neighboring states’ security forces to maintain safety on major highways.