The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Kontongs Bello said the travellers were rescued in the bush after the police received credible information from the public.

The suspected kidnappers, on noticing the team of operatives in their den, hurriedly abandoned the victims and escaped into the thick forest. It was gathered that the kidnap victims were all rescued unhurt.

Bello said “Acting on credible information from members of the public that a luxurious bus belonging to a private company travelling from one of the eastern states to Abuja had been intercepted by a group of hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers and taken to the bush, in the Okpella area of Edo state, the DPO Okpella divisional headquarters, CSP Kolawole Aremu, immediately swung into action by mobilising his team from Okpella division, and local vigilantes for immediate bush combing. The suspected kidnappers, on noticing the team of operatives in their den, hurriedly abandoned the victims and escaped into the thick forest. The nine kidnapped victims were all rescued unhurt. They were advised to continue their journey after profiling them.”