Relief has come for families of the 13 passengers abducted on the Benin-Ore Expressway, as the Edo State Police Command confirmed their safe rescue.

The victims were kidnapped on Saturday afternoon near Ekhiadolor after gunmen ambushed their bus, shot the driver, and forced the passengers into the surrounding forest. The injured driver was later rushed to a hospital in Benin, where he is reportedly responding well to treatment.

Following the attack, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika ordered a massive manhunt for the suspects. Special tactical teams, drones, and surveillance equipment were deployed to comb the forests around the scene.

Providing an update, Agbonika announced:

“We have rescued all the victims. Every one of them is safe. Since the day of the incident, we have been on the operation nonstop, deploying drones and other devices to track the suspects.”

While the passengers are now free, the commissioner stressed that the operation is far from over, as efforts are ongoing to arrest the kidnappers and bring them to justice.

The incident highlights once again the persistent security challenges along Nigeria’s highways, particularly the Benin-Ore route, a major gateway linking the South-West and South-South regions.