Police rescue abducted Benue University lecturer after gun duel with kidnappers

Police officers from the Benue State Command have rescued a lecturer of the Benue State University, Dr Godwin Kwanga, who was abducted in Makurdi.

Kwanga, a lecturer in the university’s Department of Geography was abducted at gunpoint on Tuesday night, August 31, along the George Akume Way, New GRA Makurdi.

He however regained his freedom on Thursday, September 2 after security operatives attacked the assailants hideout. The police also recovered the Toyota Highlander SUV he was abducted in.

Details of his freedom from the den of kidnappers was contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the Benue command, DSP Catherine Anene on Thursday.

According to the statement, the police gathered intelligence that the lecturer was held hostage at Tse-Anjov village, Welfare quarters, Makurdi.

On getting the information, the police stormed the kidnappers den and engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel. While the lecturer was rescued unhurt, the kidnappers escaped with gunshot injuries.

“On 2nd September 2021 at about 10 am, information was gathered that a kidnap victim was held hostage at Tse-Anjov village, Welfare quarters, Makurdi. Operatives invaded the hideout, and the suspects engaged the police in a gun duel but were overpowered by the police. The victim was successfully rescued unhurt while the hoodlums escaped with bullets wounds.” the PPRO said in the statement.

Anene added that some items which included; one Ak47 rifle loaded with eight live ammunition, forty-three expanded ammunition and two Toyota Camry vehicles were recovered from the scene.