At least five people have been killed and several others abducted after armed attackers ambushed a commercial bus along the Oshokoshoko/Agbede highway near a military checkpoint in Kogi State.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication covering the Lake Chad region, the attack occurred around 12:10 a.m. on Friday, when heavily armed hoodlums blocked the highway and opened fire on vehicles in transit.
The targeted vehicle, an 18-seater Toyota bus with Jigawa state registration HJA 687 YD, was traveling from Abuja to Ilesha, Osun State, and was riddled with bullets during the assault. “Five unidentified corpses with gunshot injuries were recovered at the scene,” the report quoted a source as saying.
One passenger, Naziru Aliyu, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to Fisayo Hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja.
The report added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Obajana immediately mobilized joint security teams for assessment and rescue operations. Subsequent bush-combing and intelligence-led operations led to the rescue of 14 additional passengers, including Qorib Akere, Hamsatu Umar, Maryam Abubakar, Alpha Abdullateef, Alpha Uammi Adamu, Sanni Yahaya, Engr. Wojuola Olajide, Ademola Ibrahim, Fidelis Ajeh, Musa Muhammed, Nehemiah Gyang, Kanini Moses, and Simon Obadiah.
Authorities confirmed that roughly four bus occupants are still missing. An inquiry into the incident has commenced, with intensified efforts underway to rescue remaining passengers and apprehend the attackers.
Five Killed, Several Abducted in Kogi Highway Attack Near Military Checkpoint
