₦airaland Forum

The Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the successful rescue of all 15 passengers abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo road, following a coordinated operation involving security agencies. The Command also announced the arrest of suspects linked to the incident.

https://x.com/i/status/2046109559970742437


The Benue State Police Command has pushed back against swirling narratives over last week’s abduction of passengers along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway, insisting that victims themselves have identified suspected herdsmen as those behind the crime.

Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, disclosed this while presenting the rescued victims to Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi, stressing that preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts point to militia herdsmen operating as bandits in the area.

The victims, who included candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) travelling to Otukpo for their examinations, were all rescued unhurt after a multi-agency security operation mounted intense pressure on the kidnappers.

According to Emenari, the rescue unfolded in phases, beginning with the release of five passengers, followed by the recovery of the remaining 13 on Sunday morning.

“With the earlier release of five occupants of the vehicle, the remaining 13 were rescued this Sunday morning unhurt,” the police chief said.

He emphasized that the breakthrough came after the deployment of tactical teams ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, which forced the suspects to abandon their captives.

More crucially, Emenari revealed that the testimony of the victims has become central to the police narrative.

“We already have eight suspects in custody, and out of this number, seven are suspected herdsmen bandits connected with the crime. Some of the victims have been able to identify them,” he stated.

Largernonso:
Ftc after over 20 years on nairaland

Largernonso:
Ftc after over 20 years on nairaland

Eraddray:
Good job done by thd operative...
We need this kind of response and energy to counter terrorism in the country

Largernonso:
Ftc after over 20 years on nairaland

Largernonso:
Ftc after over 20 years on nairaland

ebuk4real:
It's well. Hope APC has solutions to these issues everywhere?

We are tired and come 2027, APC will go

iwaeda:
Wike Boasts Of Helping APC Use Judiciary To Kill Osun LG Funds Case, Warns Party Leaders Against Ingratitude

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has openly boasted that he assisted certain elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in deploying the judiciary to frustrate the Osun State local government allocation lawsuit.

In a video now circulating widely on social media and obtained by SaharaReporters, Wike made the claim while addressing a crowd in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The former Rivers governor accused the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of benefitting from judicial actions against the Osun State Government without knowing those who did the work behind the scenes.

The suit in question led to the withholding of local government funds in Osun State, a development widely seen as targeting the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke as opposition in the state.

Wike, who spoke angrily, suggested that the court action supporting the APC’s position against the Osun government did not happen by chance, boasting that powerful political forces worked quietly to ensure the outcome.

“Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted,” Wike warned, in an apparent message to APC leaders defending Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “You have to be careful about the statements you make. You have to be very careful.”

He accused Basiru of political ingratitude, claiming the APC was enjoying in Osun State without understanding who engineered their advantage.

“Today, you are enjoying in Osun. You don’t know those who did the work,” Wike said. “You are opening your mouth to talk about Rivers State.”

https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/08/wike-boasts-helping-apc-use-judiciary-kill-osun-lg-funds-case-warns-party-leaders

Minister Wike has warned the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru to stay clear of Rivers State.
Lol 😆 https://t.co/sNKjJfb8qn pic.twitter.com/E9SgSwASil

— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) January 5, 2026

ARISHEM:
They faces of the 15 rescued were shown to the public to show they did their job.
But the 8 arrested kidnappers were not paraded or their faces shown. If we ask the excuse given will be for security reasons

Largernonso:
Ftc after over 20 years on nairaland

Mirasteel:
Thank God they were rescued safely.

And the authorities should take action immediately

26.11.2025 FEATURED
‘Tactical Ransom or Negotiation?’ Nigerians Question Tinubu, FG as Kebbi, Kwara Terrorists Go Scot-Free

Since the Nigerian government confirmed that the abducted 38 worshippers in Kwara State and the 24 Kebbi schoolgirls had been freed, many Nigerians have been awaiting updates about the arrest or killing of their abductors.

The silence of the federal and state governments on consequences for the perpetrators has led many to believe that the government likely negotiated with the terrorists and paid ransom to have the abductees released.

FIJ called the spokespersons of the Nigerian Army (NA) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Wednesday morning, but neither provided answers to questions about the abductors.

Shortly after Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris and Bello Matawalle, Minister of Defence, announced on Tuesday that the 24 students had been freed, the terrorists who abducted the girls released a video, saying the government negotiated with them for the girls’ release.

https://fij.ng/article/tactical-ransom-or-negotiation-nigerians-question-tinubu-fg-as-kebbi-kwara-terrorists-go-scot-free/

tayo4ng:
They should be eliminated immediately without wasting much time. They don't mean well

saintkel:
I think it is high time police n other security agencies begin to kill any herdsmen caught in d act of kidnapping, banditry or terrorism....no more arrest abeg

Highways:
Where Are The Cows? Is Evans A Herdsman?'


When Funke Olakurin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti was murdered instead of Bola Tinubu to make sure that the perpetrators were brought to book, he ended up making fun of the death of the young lady by turning everything into tribalism by showing his hates for Igbos.


Tinubu has never spoken against the deadly activities of Fulani herdsmen across the country

The same stand Adeyinka Grandson gave on the death of Fasoranti's daughter is where Tinubu, the leader of the Yoruba Conservatives stands. Please see Tinubu's video below. pic.twitter.com/COhiSvabqW

— Adeyinka Grandson (@deyinkagrandson) July 14, 2019

Mrs Olakunrin died of gunshot wounds in July 2019 after her vehicle was attacked by armed men, suspected to be marauding Fulani bandits whose violent activities had reached a frightening level across the southwest states.


Those arrested suspects include Lawal Mazaje, 40, from Felele area of Kogi State; Adamu Adamu, 50, from Jada area of Adamawa State; Mohammed Usman, 26, from Illela area of Sokoto State and Auwal Abubakar, 25, from Shinkafi area of Zamfara State....

However, the leader of the team, identified only as Tambaya, and three others are yet to be found.

Tambaya has been declared wanted by the police and he is said to be capable of communicating in Hausa, Fulfude and Pidgin English.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/388382-afenifere-police-speak-on-arrest-of-alleged-killers-of-fasorantis-daughter.html

Largernonso:
Ftc after over 20 years on nairaland

ebuk4real:
It's well. Hope APC has solutions to these issues everywhere?

We are tired and come 2027, APC will go