Gunmen kill driver, kidnap bus passengers in Edo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Sunday killed a bus driver and abducted an unspecified number of passengers.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the commercial bus was travelling from Lagos to the eastern part of the country when it came under heavy gunfire, forcing it to a halt.

A viral video circulating online captured the aftermath of the incident, with a narrator alleging that the attackers opened fire on the vehicle before dragging passengers away.

The narrator said, “The kidnappers shot and killed the driver. They also took passengers into the bush. I don’t know the number, but it looks like the entire bus was taken.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the development, adding that a manhunt has been launched for the suspects.

She noted that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Iguobazuwa Police Division.

Ikoedem added, “The Commissioner of Police has directed adjoining divisions to join in bush-combing efforts to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators.”

The PPRO assured that operations were also ongoing to improve safety along the highway.(Punch)