Security operatives in Benue State on Monday arrested two suspected kidnappers who allegedly chased after a female victim after she escaped from their hideout in Ado Local Government Area of the state. The woman, identified simply as Mrs Ekuma, was among five people reportedly abducted on Friday while returning from Idelle Market in neighbouring Oju LGA.
Special Adviser to Benue State Government on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, told journalists in Makurdi that the woman escaped from her abductors’ den and was being pursued by the suspects when luck ran out on them. Har further explained that Ekuma escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout in a forest around Utonkon district of Ado LGA and raised the alarm, prompting personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (CPG), Ado Command, to launch an operation.
He said the operatives moved to the area to locate the victim and track down the fleeing kidnappers. Har said two suspected members of the gang were arrested after they reportedly pursued Ekuma when they discovered that she had escaped from the forest. The suspects, identified as Usman Shuaibu and Aliyu Drahu, were initially taken to the CPG zonal headquarters in Otukpo before being handed over to the Otukpo police division for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The special adviser said the arrests formed part of ongoing efforts by security operatives to dismantle kidnapping networks and protect residents in communities affected by insecurity across the state.
