Kogi passenger abduction highway
Armed men have abducted passengers travelling on the busy Itobe–Ajegwu–Anyigba highway in Kogi State. Eyewitnesses say the attackers used a trailer to block the road and then forced two Toyota buses off course early on Thursday morning. One of the buses, bearing registration number KG KPA 622LG, was travelling towards Abuja with passengers picked up from a motor park in the Ankpa community of Kogi East.
According to residents, the incident occurred after a security checkpoint, around 5 a.m., between the villages of Ojiwo-Ajengo and Mamereboh. The gang reportedly ambushed the buses, subdued drivers and passengers, and led them into nearby bush areas. Security operatives including soldiers, vigilantes and local hunters were mobilised immediately after the report of the attack. They moved rapidly into the adjoining forest to pursue the kidnappers.
This latest abduction highlights a sharp increase in kidnapping incidents along major highways in Kogi State. Earlier this year, dozens of passengers and even soldiers were abducted along the Kogi-Enugu border corridor. In many cases, victims are held for ransom and their release is uncertain.
At the time of this report the exact number of abductees remains unclear. Local sources said one bus was clearly identified, and scattered documents and personal items found at the scene suggest more than a few people were taken. Security authorities have appealed to members of the public to provide information, assured they are actively tracking the perpetrators, but have not yet confirmed any arrests.
Families of the missing passengers are reported to be anxious and calling for swift rescue operations. They fear that time is of the essence given previous cases in which captives have been held for prolonged periods, sometimes with casualties before release. Meanwhile, public concern continues to grow over safety on highways in the region, prompting calls for better protective measures, more vigilant patrols and quicker responses from security agencies.
