Five persons have reportedly been killed, while several others were abducted during an attack on a commercial bus along the Oshokoshoko/Agbede highway near a military checkpoint in Kogi State.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reported that the incident occurred at about 12:10 am on Friday, when heavily armed hoodlums blocked the highway and opened fire on vehicles in transit.
The report said an 18-seater Toyota bus with Jigawa state registration number HJA 687 YD, conveying passengers from Abuja to Ilesha, Osun State, was riddled with bullets during the attack.
“Five unidentified corpses with gunshot injuries were recovered at the scene,” a source quoted in the report said.
The source added that one of the passengers, identified as Naziru Aliyu, was rescued with gunshot wounds and rushed to Fisayo Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja, the state capital.
The report added that the divisional police officer (DPO) in Obajana mobilised joint security teams to the area for assessment and rescue operations.
It also disclosed that bush-combing and intelligence-led operations later led to the rescue of 14 additional passengers.
“They were identified as 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
“The authorities reported that roughly four occupants from the bus are still missing.
“According to sources, the inquiry has started, and efforts for additional rescue missions and capturing the attackers are being stepped up.
“The police assured the community and travelers that they are dedicated to restoring safety on the road and ensuring the assailants are brought to justice.”
Source: Zagazola Makama
