A group of armed men kidnapped nine passengers travelling on the Itobe–Anyagba Expressway in Kogi State on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The attack happened around 4:20 p.m. near Ogbabo Junction. The gunmen suddenly came out of the bush, fired gunshots, and forced a Peace Mass Transit bus to stop, according to security expert Zagazola Makama.

During the chaos, the driver of the bus, Mr. Sunday Okechi, along with six passengers, managed to escape. Unfortunately, nine others were taken by the gunmen into the nearby forest.

Security forces quickly arrived at the scene and found the abandoned bus, marked ENZ-55 XS, along with a blue Toyota Carina E vehicle.

Authorities have since moved both vehicles into secure custody as investigations continue.

A joint team made up of security agents, local vigilantes, and hunters has launched a full search to find the kidnapped passengers and arrest the criminals responsible.