Suspected kidnappers have abducted an unspecified number of passengers travelling in three buses along the Itobe-Achigili-Anyigba highway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to local sources, the two separate attacks occurred within a two-hour interval on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at almost the same spot on the highway.

The first incident, involving a Hummer bus belonging to a popular mass transit company allegedly happened around 4pm between Ojuwo-Ajengo and Mamerebo settlement, while heading to Abuja from its park in the eastern region.

The second attack occurred at about 6pm between Ojodu and Ojuwo-Olijo village, involving a Sharon and a Sienna commercial bus said to be on an inter-state journey.

Witnesses said all occupants were ferried into the bush after the buses ran into barricades mounted by the gunmen.

“We found two cellphones in the grass around one of the buses; which was later handed over to the security operatives. The armed men left with all the occupants of the three buses .

“First, a hummer bus was intercepted around 4pm. It carries the inscription of “Peace Mass Transit”, with fleet number “2838”. The two other buses , Sharon/ Sienna bus with registration number, Kogi : ERE 138 AE and BB 362 MKA ran into their ambush around 6pm on Sunday.

“The number of the abducted persons from each of the three buses is not clear yet , except through the passengers” manifest,” said a source from a local security outfit in the area.

A joint security operation, comprising a detachment of army, policemen, local vigilantes and hunters was reported to have been mobilised to the scene of incident in an attempt to rescue the kidnapped victims and apprehend their abductors.