Suspected kidnappers on Wednesday attacked a Peace Mass Transit vehicle traveling from Onitsha to Abuja, abducting over ten passengers in a broad daylight assault at Ogbabo, along the Itobe Road in Kogi State.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, laid an ambush on the notorious highway, forcing the commercial bus to a halt before herding passengers into the surrounding bush at gunpoint.
The incident, which occurred in full view of other motorists, caused panic among commuters and residents in the area.
While the exact number of victims is yet to be confirmed by security authorities, multiple sources reported that more than ten people were taken. The identities of those abducted have not been made public.
The Itobe–Anyigba–Ajaokuta corridor, where the attack occurred, has become a hotspot for violent crimes in recent months, with frequent incidents of armed robbery, abduction, and assault reported.
Locals and travelers say the road has turned into a “death trap.”
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“We are tired. This road has become a death trap. Every week, it’s the same story,” a distressed social media user wrote.
As of press time, neither the Kogi State Police Command nor other security agencies have issued an official statement on the attack. However, community leaders are urging urgent intervention.
“This is a national emergency,” a local leader declared. “Authorities must act swiftly to secure our roads and rescue those kidnapped.”
Families of potential victims have been advised to urgently contact relatives who may have been traveling along the route and to remain vigilant.