Three passengers abducted by suspected bandits along the Itobe-Ajegwu-Anyigba road in Kogi State have regained freedom after reportedly escaping from captivity while their abductors slept off in the forest.
The victims were among travellers seized during an attack on two commercial buses in the Ofu Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Sources said the gunmen ambushed the vehicles, including a Hummer bus with registration number NKE 737 XA from Ebonyi State, before forcing passengers into the bush at gunpoint.
A motorcyclist was also reportedly kidnapped during the attack and taken to an unknown destination alongside the passengers.
A resident of the area, Ahiaba Michael, disclosed that local vigilantes, hunters and other security operatives immediately launched a search operation after the incident, but were unable to rescue the victims at the initial stage.
Security sources, however, revealed that one suspect identified as Monday Agi was arrested about three hours after the attack.
The suspect was said to have been apprehended after allegedly losing his way while security personnel intensified pressure on the fleeing gang.
According to the source, the suspect claimed during interrogation that he had travelled in a trailer from Ekiti State and got down near the scene to continue his journey on foot.
The source added, “He claimed he ran into the bush alongside two herders after hearing gunshots, insisting that he had no connection with the attackers.”
Police authorities were said to have taken the suspect into custody as security agencies intensified efforts to track down the armed gang.
Meanwhile, three of the abducted passengers, identified as Micheal Adejo, Monday and Mariam Yakubu, narrated how they escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The victims alleged that the attackers, numbering about 10, were armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns.
One of the escapees recounted that their vehicle was forced to stop after encountering a barricade mounted by the gunmen on the highway.
He said, “They ordered all passengers out of the buses at gunpoint. Another bus behind us was shot at and the driver crashed into cashew trees. We were all marched into the bush afterwards.
“They searched us thoroughly, collected our phones, cash and other valuables before moving us deeper into the forest.”
Another victim, Adaji, explained that they seized the opportunity to flee after noticing some of the abductors had fallen asleep.
He said, “When I realised the kidnappers close to where I was kept had slept off, I began to crawl slowly away from the area. After moving some distance, I stood up and ran until I reached a nearby village with two other victims.”
Efforts to get official confirmation from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to calls and text messages as of the time of filing this report.