13-year-old girl rescued from abductors, two suspects arrested

By JOHN CHARLES, Makurdi

Men of the Benue State Police Command have rescued a 13-year-old girl, who was kidnapped on Easter Sunday in the Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

The suspected kidnapers were said to have abducted the victim from her father’s house opposite the NKST Church, Akpera in Adikpo, headquarters of the local government council around midnight on Sunday.

PUNCH Metro gathered that as soon as men of the Operation Zenda were informed about the abduction, they swung into action and combed the forest from where they rescued her.

A police source told our correspondent that the policemen also arrested one of the suspects, identified as Vershima Sunday, of Mbawer community in the council area.

Also arrested was one Grace Yaaor, who hid the arrested kidnapper.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Vershima and four other members of the kidnap syndicate engaged the operatives in a gun duel.

The source stated, “One of the suspects, Vershima Sunday, was  arrested while four others fled; also, one  motorcycle suspected to have been used by the hoodlums was recovered by the operatives, who also apprehended one Grace Yaaor for hiding the arrested kidnap suspect.

“The girl, who was rescued on Monday morning, has reunited with her parents.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the rescue of the girl, said the command was on top the matter and its personnel were on the trail of the fleeing hoodlums.

“The abduction and rescue of a 13-year-old girl by the police is confirmed,” Anene said.

(The PUNCH)