Benue youths rescue kidnap victims, arrest three suspects

In Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, a group of local youths disrupted an alleged kidnapping plot on the Ugbokolo‑Aokpe road, freeing several victims and taking three suspects into custody.

According to a community member who identified himself only as Adah, the incident took place late on Wednesday night. He told reporters by phone that armed men had reportedly abducted travelers along the road, prompting the youths to launch a search operation.

“Several people were taken by armed men on the road on Wednesday night, which prompted local youths to mobilise and launch a search operation in the area,” he said. “The youths tracked down the suspects, leading to the rescue of five victims and the arrest of three of the alleged kidnappers while one escaped.”

The five rescued individuals were reunited with their families, and the three arrested suspects were handed over to security officials for further investigation.

Okpokwu Local Government Chairman Adah Inalegwu confirmed that some travelers had indeed been kidnapped on Aokpe road on Wednesday night, but added that authorities had not yet verified whether the three people apprehended by residents were involved in the crime.

Inalegwu said, “It’s true that some people were kidnapped yesterday (Wednesday night) on Aokpe road, and our vigilant youths quickly mobilised themselves and went after the kidnappers. When the heat was too much on the kidnappers they abandoned their victims and ran away, and the victims were successfully rescued yesterday (Wednesday) night. Today (Thursday) the community also saw three strangers and they presumed they were kidnappers but we are yet to get the full story whether they are kidnappers or not.”

The Benue State Police Command stated that it had not received an official report of the incident at the time of filing this statement. Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet said she had not yet been briefed on the matter.