Five killed, passengers abducted in attack on bus near Kogi checkpoint

Five people were killed and several others abducted when gunmen attacked a commercial passenger bus along the Oshokoshoko/Agbede highway in Kogi State, near a military checkpoint.

The attack occurred around 12:10 a.m. on Friday, according to a report by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama. The assailants reportedly blocked the road and opened fire on vehicles.

An 18-seater Toyota bus with registration number HJA 687 YD, travelling from Abuja to Ilesha in Osun State, was hit by multiple gunshots during the incident.

Security sources said five bodies with gunshot wounds were recovered at the scene. One passenger, identified as Naziru Aliyu, was rescued with injuries and taken to Fisayo Hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja.

The Divisional Police Officer in Obajana mobilised joint security teams to the area for rescue and assessment operations. Subsequent searches led to the rescue of 14 passengers from nearby bushes.

They were identified as Qorib Akere, Hamsatu Umar, Maryam Abubakar, Alpha Abdullateef, Alpha Uammi Adamu, Sanni Yahaya, Engr. Wojuola Olajide, Ademola Ibrahim, Fidelis Ajeh, Musa Muhammed, Nehemiah Gyang, Kanini Moses and Simon Obadiah. Some of the rescued passengers sustained gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment at Fisayo Hospital.

Police said four passengers remain missing.

An investigation has begun, with security agencies intensifying efforts to locate the missing passengers and apprehend those responsible. Authorities also assured residents and road users of measures to improve safety along the highway.

Oyiza Saliu, spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.