The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of eight out of twelve passengers kidnapped by gunmen who attacked a Big Joe Ventures commuter bus along the Okene–Auchi road on Friday.
Police spokesperson, SP William Aya, said in a statement that the bus, a Toyota Hiace with registration number Edo FUG 13 XY, was ambushed while travelling from Abuja to Benin, Edo State. All passengers were taken hostage.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer of Okene, CSP Nasir Muhammad, mobilised police personnel, soldiers, and local vigilantes to pursue the kidnappers. Their efforts led to the rescue of eight victims, including the driver.
Aya added that security forces are intensifying search operations to free the remaining four victims and apprehend the culprits.
The attack comes barely two weeks after troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, working with hybrid forces and vigilantes, rescued 17 kidnapped victims—13 adults and four children—in a separate operation in the state.