Over the weekend, a group of armed bandits carried out an attack on a luxury bus traveling to Abakaliki, targeting passengers who were route to the southeast for Easter celebrations. This shocking incident was confirmed by the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force in a statement issued on Monday morning.
According to the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, the attack occurred at Oke Ado junction in Ijebu Mushin along the Ijebu Ode-Ore-Benin expressway. The bandits, wielding cutlasses, intercepted the bus and proceeded to rob all 59 passengers on board. After robbing the passengers of their belongings, the assailants locked them inside the bus before setting it ablaze.
Despite the terrifying circumstances, the passengers demonstrated remarkable resilience and resourcefulness. They managed to break the windows and escape from the bus before it was completely consumed by flames. However, they were left traumatized and in shock by the harrowing experience.
The management of Ifesinachi Transport Nig. Ltd., the company operating the bus, also confirmed the attack, expressing deep shock and concern over the safety of their passengers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of criminal activities along major highways in Nigeria.
Survivors of the attack recounted the horrors they endured at the hands of the armed bandits. They described how the assailants not only robbed them of their possessions but also subjected them to physical violence and intimidation. Despite sustaining injuries and losing all their belongings, the survivors expressed gratitude for escaping with their lives.
The incident highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect travelers and commuters on Nigerian highways. It underscores the vulnerability of passengers to attacks by criminal elements and the importance of robust law enforcement efforts to combat such threats.
As investigations into the incident continue, authorities are urged to take decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. In the meantime, the survivors of this horrific attack are left to grapple with the physical and emotional scars inflicted upon them by the merciless actions of the armed bandits.
