Gunmen attacked a commercial bus along the Okene–Auchi Road in Kogi State, abducting 12 passengers traveling from Abuja to Benin, Edo State.
The bus, operated by Big Joe Ventures Ltd, with registration number Edo FUG 13 XY, was ambushed on Friday, September 27, 2025.
Confirming the incident, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, said the kidnappers whisked away all passengers onboard. He noted that security operatives swiftly responded.
“Subsequently, the DPO Okene Division, CSP Nasir Muhammad, mobilized police personnel, soldiers, and local vigilantes in pursuit of the criminals.
In the process, eight victims, including the driver, were rescued,” Aya explained.
He added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining four captives and apprehend the kidnappers.
Among those kidnapped was Barrister Onyesom Peace Udoka, a young lawyer who had just been called to the Nigerian Bar in Abuja.
She was traveling home with her sister when gunmen struck.
Sources confirmed that the abductors have demanded a ransom of ₦20 million for her release.
The attack has sparked concern among travelers, as the Okene–Auchi route has witnessed repeated incidents of armed robbery and abductions.
Residents and commuters are calling for stronger security measures to protect lives on the busy highway.
The latest kidnapping adds to the growing wave of insecurity in Kogi and neighboring states, where criminal gangs frequently target motorists and commercial vehicles.
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