Eighteen (18) passengers travelling along the Benin-Auchi highway in the newly launched Edo Line were on Friday kidnapped in Edo State.
The victims, who were reportedly Abuja-bound, were forced into the bush by the daredevil kidnappers before operatives of the Nigerian Police arrived at the scene.
A viral video from the incident showed a long queue of vehicles parked on both sides of the expressway.
As of the time of filing this report, the abductors were yet to make any contact to demand ransom.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edo State Command, SP Moses Iyamu, disclosed that sixteen (16) out of the 18 victims have so far been rescued.
He stressed that police have intensified “search and rescue” operations in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters to ensure the release of the remaining passengers still in captivity.