Security Operatives Foil Kidnap Attempt On Benin/Auchi Road As Herdsmen Flee Into Hiding.

Tragedy was reportedly averted as security operatives attached to a high-profile politician(name withheld) foiled a kidnap attempt on the busy Benin-Auchi road on December 23rd 2023.

An 18-seater commercial bus belonging to a Benin-based transporter plying the ever-busy Benin-Abuja route with another car closely behind were almost ambushed by herdsmen laying siege to kidnap the unsuspecting travellers when suddenly security escorts driving in 2 SUV Prado Jeep attached to a high-profile politician opened fire on the herdsmen in camouflage uniform to send them running.

Incessant kidnappings by herdsmen and bandits in camouflage are a daily routine on the busy route as travellers on the busy Benin-Auchi are reportedly terrified and in panic mode when travelling on that axis of the road.

However on Dec 23rd, the Abuja-bound travellers momentarily heaved a huge sigh of relief as the gallantry service of the travelling security escorts on the convoy of the unnamed politician was enough to send the herdsmen and kidnappers running into the nearby forest for cover while every vehicles on the route drove past with a feeling of momentary relief.

Meanwhile travellers on the busy route in an interview shortly after approaching checkpoints manned by local vigilantes narrated their horrendous ordeals shortly after driving past the blackspots. .

A traveller who simply identified himself as Mr.Samuel Eriakha recalled how in late 2022 while travelling on that Benin-Auchi route in another vehicle, a Toyota Sienna bus with all the occupants including the driver were ambushed and ordered into the forest .

Mr.Samuel whose vehicle was traveling behind others, according to him, said that every other vehicles far ahead of them with their passengers were ordered into the forest by the kidnappers immediately they approached a robbery scene where several passengers were held hostage before they were ordered into the forest .

Mrs.Abigail Okorie as she wants to be referred to was also kidnapped while returning from Abuja in early 2023 when she was abducted along with her personal driver but were reportedly released few days later.

Meanwhile, the security situation on the busy Benin-Abuja route seemed to have increasingly worsened even with the presence of security checkpoints mounted several meters away from these blackspots as herdsmen and bandits still operates brazenly often times in military camouflage with reckless abandon on these routes.