Kogi Abduction Scare Deepens as Gunmen Hijack Commercial Bus, Kidnap Passengers

 

Fresh fears have gripped travellers in Kogi State following the abduction of passengers from a commercial bus along the Ojapata–Ikanekpo axis in Ankpa Local Government Area.

The latest incident, which occurred on Friday, has heightened concerns over the safety of motorists and commuters using major highways across the state, coming less than three days after the reported abduction of 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ofu Local Government Area.

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the latest attack, saying armed men intercepted the commercial bus between Ojapata and Ikanekpo before taking its occupants into the bush.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, confirmed the development while speaking with journalists, although the command said it was yet to establish the exact number of passengers abducted or their current whereabouts.

According to the police, security forces have commenced coordinated rescue operations aimed at locating the victims and apprehending the attackers.

The command said the operation is being led by the Commanding Officer of the 77 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Okene, ACP M.D. Adamu, with personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and local hunters.

Security operatives are currently combing forest corridors believed to be potential hideouts for the criminals, particularly around the Anejukolo–Egume, Ipadala–Egume and Alade–Egume axes in Dekina Local Government Area.

The police also said surveillance had been intensified along major highways within the affected areas to prevent further attacks and facilitate the rescue of those already abducted.

The command appealed to members of the public to allow security personnel to concentrate on the ongoing operation, explaining that updates could be gradual because the teams were still in the field.

It stressed that the absence of frequent public statements should not be interpreted as a lack of action, assuring that the rescue operation would continue until the victims were safely recovered.

The latest abduction has added to a growing list of attacks reported along Kogi roads in recent days.

On Wednesday, gunmen reportedly attacked travellers along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area, abducting several passengers. A subsequent joint security operation led to the rescue of 11 victims, most of whom were NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State towards Abuja.

In a separate attack along the Itobe–Ochadamu Expressway on Thursday, a former lawmaker, Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was reportedly killed after gunmen opened fire on vehicles. Another occupant of his vehicle was abducted.

The police subsequently ordered additional tactical deployments to the affected corridors and commenced forest searches for the remaining victim and the attackers.

The incidents have renewed concerns about the vulnerability of Kogi’s highways, particularly stretches surrounded by large forests that could provide cover for criminal groups.

For travellers, the latest development has further raised questions about the safety of inter-state transportation and the effectiveness of security measures along some of the state’s major routes.

While the police have yet to release the identities or number of passengers abducted in the latest Ankpa incident, the command said it would continue to provide verified information as the operation progresses.

The security agencies are expected to sustain the search for the victims while intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and prevent further attacks on motorists and commuters across the state.