Brave DPO Snatches Commuters from Kidnappers’ Clutches in Fierce Gun Battle

It was a scene straight out of an action thriller on the Ugbokpo–Agatu road Friday night, as police operatives engaged in a fierce shootout to snatch five commuters from the clutches of armed kidnappers.

What began as a routine journey for Danladi John and his four passengers turned into a nightmare at approximately 7:45 p.m. near the Ojantelle community. The group was traveling in a Sharon vehicle (EGB 407 YS) when they were ambushed by a gang of gunmen who blocked the highway, forcing the vehicle to a screeching halt.

The victims’ luck changed when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Apa, who was leading a “visibility policing” patrol nearby, caught wind of the unfolding crime. As the patrol team rounded the corner into Ojantelle, they found the suspects in the middle of seizing the vehicle and its terrified occupants.

Refusing to back down, the police operatives immediately confronted the gang. A violent gun duel erupted under the cover of darkness, lighting up the Ugbokpo–Agatu axis.

Outmaneuvered and facing superior firepower, the kidnappers were forced to abandon their “prize.” The assailants retreated, fleeing into the dense surrounding bushes to escape arrest.

In a rare moment of pure relief, all five victims—including the driver—were rescued completely unharmed. After receiving a preliminary security clearance, the shaken but grateful passengers were allowed to continue their journey.

“Our officers are currently combing the bushes. We will not rest until these perpetrators are brought to justice,” a command source stated, reaffirming their commitment to cleaning up the state’s highways.

While the suspects remain at large, the Benue State Police Command has flooded the area with additional patrols to ensure that this stretch of road remains a path for travelers, not a hunting ground for criminals.