The Haitian National Police (PNH) informs that following the hostage-taking on Saturday January 8, 2022, passengers of a bus at La Croix Perisse, a locality located between the commune of Estère and Gonaïves (Artibonite) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35671-haiti-flash-a-bus-hijacked-nearly-60-passengers-and-the-driver-under-hostage.html , a strong police operation was carried out a few hours later, which "led to the release of the hostages from the Saint-Jean Baptiste bus" according to a note from the PNH press coordination.
During the operation, several bandits were seriously injured in an exchange of fire with the security forces, and several weapons were seized, including a stolen assault rifle belonging to the PNH. One of the kidnappers is currently in the hands of the PNH.
Meyer, the leader of the "Kokorat sans ras" gang responsible for the hostage-taking, was reportedly injured during the shooting.
However, according to relatives of hostages, all the passengers would not have had time to flee during the police intervention and would still be in the hands of the kidnappers who would threaten to kill them if a ransom of US $50,000 was not paid for their release. Information that has not been confirmed from a police source.
