The Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS) has confirmed the abduction of three passengers following an attack on an 18-seater Toyota bus at Aku village along the Okene/Lokoja Federal Highway in Adavi Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Monday between 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
In a statement, the Controller-General of the KSVS, Ibrahim Omeiza Sani, said:
“Some armed men, suspected to be Fulani bandits in military camouflage, attacked an 18-seater Toyota bus with registration number Benue DAP 325 LG. In a swift response, the KSVS Osara Command and six brave local hunters engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel.”
He explained that while the gunmen managed to escape into the forest with three passengers, the driver and three others were rescued.
“However, during the mayhem, a bystander hit by a stray bullet died,” he added.
Sani said the service was intensifying intelligence gathering to track down the abductors, commending the courage of his men and the hunters. He also praised Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and the state Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, for their commitment to security.
He further directed his operatives to “redouble efforts and pursue all criminal elements, including kidnappers, to apprehend and bring them to face the law.”
The vigilante boss urged residents to remain security conscious and promptly report suspicious movements to law enforcement agencies.
Kogi State has seen a rise in abductions of travellers in recent weeks. PUNCH Metro earlier reported the release of the District Head of Bagaji Odo, David Akpa, who was kidnapped on September 1, 2025, by unidentified gunmen.
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