Two suspects are in police custody in Benue State following a security operation that freed eight people, including a Catholic priest, from captivity.

According to CitizenDiary, the rescued priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache, serves in the Otukpo Diocese. He and the other victims are receiving medical attention at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo, where they were taken for examination and treatment after their release.

The Benue State Police Command identified the arrested suspects as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel. Police spokesperson DSP Peter Aondongu said investigations were ongoing, with security personnel pursuing other suspected members of the gang.

In a statement issued on Monday, Aondongu said the operation involved the police, the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards. The teams secured the release of two victims on October 16 and six others on October 18.

The victims had been abducted last Tuesday near Ipiga Village in Ohimini Local Government Area while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo – Ajegbe -Awume Road.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, commended the participating officers and acknowledged the support of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force.

The command urged residents to share credible intelligence with security agencies to support ongoing efforts against crime.