The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of passengers travelling in a Lagos–Abuja Toyota Hiace bus along the Ayere–Kabba Road in Kabba Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said the incident occurred on April 13, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., when armed assailants intercepted the vehicle, attacked the occupants, and took them to an unknown location.
The police did not disclose the number of victims involved, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the full details of the incident.
Kankarofi confirmed that one of the victims, Adoun Julius, 56, has been rescued, while the bus was recovered and taken to the police station for further action.
According to the police, the affected vehicle belongs to Chisco Transport Company, bearing registration number KJA 405 YJ, and was en route from Lagos to Abuja at the time of the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, stated that efforts to rescue the remaining victims have been intensified, with joint security operatives carrying out bush-combing and search-and-rescue operations.
She added that seven suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident and are assisting with ongoing investigations. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, alongside other tactical teams, is actively working to secure the victims’ release and apprehend those responsible.
The command urged members of the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could aid the ongoing operations, assuring that all tips will be treated with strict confidentiality.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning criminal elements to desist or face the full force of the law.
Families of the victims were also advised to report to the SCID headquarters in Lokoja, particularly the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, to assist with identification and the investigation process.
