Gunmen Abduct Passengers From Two Abuja-Bound Buses Near Security Checkpoint in Kogi State

Gunmen abducted passengers travelling in two Toyota buses along the Itobe–Ajegwu–Anyigba road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Thursday morning, in yet another incident highlighting Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, suspected to be kidnappers, blocked the highway shortly after a nearby security checkpoint by intercepting a trailer to halt traffic. One of the affected buses, a Toyota with registration number KG: KPA 622LG, was reportedly conveying passengers from a motor park in Ankpa, Kogi East, and heading toward Abuja when it ran into the ambush.

The incident occurred around 5 a.m. between Ojiwo’-Ajengo and Mamereboh villages. A resident of Achigili, Unubi Ademu, told reporters that it was difficult to determine the number of passengers abducted. “We could only establish that one of the buses was carrying passengers from an Ankpa community, as shown by documents and belongings scattered at the scene,” he said. According to him, the gunmen whisked all the passengers, including the drivers, into the forest.

Security operatives, including soldiers, hunters, and local vigilantes, reportedly began a rescue operation soon after receiving news of the attack. An eyewitness identified as Evangelist James said he saw military vehicles speeding through his village toward the area. “A brother told me that security operatives, vigilantes, and hunters are already in the bush, trailing the abductors to rescue the victims,” he said.

Efforts by journalists to reach the Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, William Aya, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone were not answered at the time of filing this report.