Five people were killed and several others kidnapped after suspected bandits attacked a commercial passenger bus along the Oshokoshoko–Agbede highway in Kogi State.
The incident occurred around 12:10 a.m. on Friday near a military checkpoint when armed assailants reportedly blocked the road and opened fire on vehicles using the route. One of the vehicles hit was an 18-seater Toyota bus, registered in Jigawa State, which was travelling from Abuja to Ilesha in Osun State.
Security sources said the bus was riddled with bullets during the assault, leaving five passengers dead at the scene. Their bodies, all bearing gunshot wounds, were later recovered and taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja.
One of the passengers, identified as Naziru Aliyu, survived the attack despite sustaining gunshot injuries and was rushed to Fisayo Hospital for medical treatment.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Obajana mobilised a joint team of security operatives to the area to conduct rescue and assessment operations. Subsequent bush-clearing and intelligence-led efforts led to the rescue of 14 additional passengers.
Those rescued were identified as Qorib Akere, Hamsatu Umar, Maryam Abubakar, Alpha Abdullateef, Alpha Uammi Adamu, Sanni Yahaya, Engineer Wojuola Olajide, Ademola Ibrahim, Fidelis Ajeh, Musa Muhammed, Nehemiah Gyang, Kanini Moses and Simon Obadiah. Some of them also sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Fisayo Hospital.
Police sources disclosed that about four passengers from the bus are still missing, while investigations are ongoing to track down the attackers and secure the release of those abducted.
The police command assured residents and motorists of intensified patrols and security measures along the highway, reiterating its commitment to restoring safety and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.
