Passengers of commercial bus abducted in another gunmen attack in Kogi

By Ola Taiwo

Gunmen at the weekend struck on a Kogi State highway and abducted passengers of a commercial bus on the road.

The incident happed along the Ojapata–Ikanekpo axis in Ankpa Local Government Area of the state.

The criminal act ocured days after the reported abduction of 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ofu Local Government Area of the state

The Kogi State Police Command which confirmed the latest attack, said that the gunmen intercepted the commercial bus between Ojapata and Ikanekpo before taking its occupants into the bush.

The command through its spokesperson, Saliu Oyiza Afusat, while confirming the development  however said it had not establish the exact number of passengers abducted or their current whereabouts.

The command said security forces have commenced coordinated rescue operations aimed at locating the victims and apprehending the attackers.

It said the operation was 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.