By Hagxy Don
A fresh wave of terror has struck Kogi State as gunmen hijacked an 18-seater bus along the notorious Obajana-Kabba highway, abducting all passengers on board. The Kogi State Police Command has launched a tactical rescue operation, deploying additional assets to track down the criminals and secure the hostages.
Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, revealed that bush-combing operations had commenced in a bid to deny the assailants any safe haven. In response to the alarming attack, the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 8, AIG Abubakar Zubairu, and Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, visited the scene to assess the situation and reinforce security strategies.
The AIG’s visit included high-level engagements with Divisional Police Officers and critical stakeholders to enhance crime prevention mechanisms. CP Dantawaye reassured residents that the Police Command is working tirelessly with other security agencies and community leaders to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims. He also ordered intensified patrols and intelligence-driven operations along key routes to forestall further attacks.
Acknowledging the growing security challenges, the Commissioner called on the public to support law enforcement with credible intelligence, stressing that community involvement is key to combating crime. Despite manpower limitations, he emphasized ongoing training and strategic collaborations as crucial to strengthening security in the state.
As tensions rise and fear grips travelers, the attack serves as yet another grim reminder of the deepening insecurity along Nigeria’s highways. Authorities now face mounting pressure to act swiftly, as families of the abducted passengers wait in anguish for news of their loved ones.