The incident occurred on Saturday in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State when armed men attacked two commercial buses carrying passengers. One of the buses was reportedly registered as Ebonyi NKE 737 XA.
A motorcycle rider was also said to have been abducted alongside the passengers during the attack.
According to a resident, Ahiaba Michael, security operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters launched a search operation shortly after the incident, but the kidnappers initially evaded capture.
A security source later disclosed that a suspect identified as Monday Agi was arrested less than three hours after the attack. The source claimed the suspect became stranded while trying to escape due to pressure from security personnel.
During questioning, Agi reportedly denied involvement in the kidnapping, claiming he had been travelling in a trailer from Ekiti State and got off near the scene before fleeing into the bush after hearing gunshots.
Meanwhile, three of the kidnapped victims identified as Micheal Adejo, Monday Adaji, and Mariam Yakubu said they managed to escape after noticing that some of the kidnappers had fallen asleep.
The victims alleged that the attackers, numbering about 10, were armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns.
Recounting the ordeal, one of the escapees said:
“The bus I boarded suddenly ran into their barricade. On stopping, they filed us out, wielding AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns. The second bus behind us was shot at and the driver rammed into cashew trees. All of us were taken into the bush afterward.”
He added that the kidnappers forced the victims to lie face down before searching them and collecting their money, phones, and other valuables.
Another escapee, Monday Adaji, explained how they regained their freedom.
“When I noticed that the hoodlums closer to my position started sleeping, I began crawling gradually. After covering some distance, I got up and ran. Luckily, I reached a village with these two others.”
Security agencies have continued efforts to rescue the remaining victims and track down the kidnappers.
Attempts to get a response from the Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, were unsuccessful as of the time the report was filed.
