By Queen Madaki
Suspected kidnappers have abducted an unspecified number of passengers travelling in three commercial buses along the Itobe-Achigili-Anyigba highway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The attacks reportedly occurred in two separate incidents within a two-hour interval on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at almost the same section of the highway.
The Bureau Journal gathered from local sources that the gunmen mounted barricades on the road before intercepting the buses and taking the passengers into the surrounding bush.
First Bus Attacked Around 4pm
The first incident reportedly occurred at about 4pm between Ojuwo-Ajengo and Mamerebo settlement.
The vehicle, said to be a Hummer bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit with fleet number 2838, was reportedly travelling toward Abuja from the eastern part of the country when it encountered the armed men.
According to sources, the attackers stopped the bus after forcing it to halt at a barricade before taking the occupants away.
Two More Buses Ambushed
About two hours later, at approximately 6pm, suspected kidnappers reportedly struck again between Ojodu and Ojuwo-Olijo village.
This second attack involved a Sharon commercial bus and a Sienna bus travelling on an inter-state route.
The vehicles were identified by local sources as bearing registration numbers ERE 138 AE and BB 362 MKA.
Witnesses said the occupants of both buses were also marched into the bush after the vehicles ran into the gunmen’s barricade.
Cellphones Recovered at Scene
A member of a local security outfit said two mobile phones were recovered from the grass near one of the buses after the attack.
The phones were subsequently handed over to security operatives investigating the incident.
The source said the exact number of abducted passengers remains unclear and may only be confirmed after the manifests of the affected buses are examined.
“The number of the abducted persons from each of the three buses is not clear yet, except through the passengers’ manifests,” the source said.
Security Agencies Launch Rescue Operation
A joint security operation involving soldiers, police officers, local vigilantes and hunters has reportedly been launched in the area.
The security team has been deployed to search the surrounding forests in an effort to rescue the kidnapped passengers and apprehend those responsible for the attacks.
The Itobe-Achigili-Anyigba highway has remained an important transport corridor connecting parts of Kogi State with neighbouring states, and residents have repeatedly raised concerns over security along sections of the route.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to release an official statement confirming the number of passengers abducted or providing further details on the rescue operation.
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