Bandits abduct passengers from 18-seater bus on Abuja-Lokoja highway

Bandits have abducted passengers from an 18-seater commuter bus near Aseni village along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

Aseni village lies on the border between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kogi state.

Residents said the incident occurred around 9:48 pm on Thursday when the bus came under attack shortly after passing Ochonyi village.

The attackers reportedly opened fire on the vehicle after it slowed down to navigate potholes along the road.

“It was when the driver of the bus slowed down while trying to manoeuvre through the potholes that the gunmen took advantage, appeared from the nearby bush, and opened fire on the front tyres,” said a local, identified as Shuaibu.

He said the assailants then whisked the passengers into the bush at gunpoint.

A member of the local vigilante group, Saidu Adamu, confirmed the abduction to Daily Trust on Saturday.

He said the vigilantes were alerted after the attack, but could not trace the direction the kidnappers took.

His words: “In fact, even before the vigilantes arrived at the scene, the passengers had already been taken into the bush.

“Sometimes when they kidnap their victims, they change direction and don’t move straight to their camp. They keep changing direction to avoid being located.”

Adamu added that the police at the Chikara division were alerted and later towed the bus to the station.

A police source who preferred anonymity said a joint team of officers and vigilantes has since mobilised into the forest to rescue the victims.