Twenty-one passengers, including women and a nine-day-old infant, were rescued on Thursday after bandits launched coordinated attacks on multiple vehicles along major highways in Kogi State.
However, two security personnel — a soldier and a vigilante — were confirmed dead in the fierce gun battle that followed.
It was revealed that no fewer than 100 bandits laid siege to vehicles traveling in different directions across the ever-busy corridor around 2pm.
Among the targets were a Toyota Sienna (YAB 968 AX) travelling from Oshogbo to Kaduna; a Toyota Hiace bus (7BGT-78LG) from Owo, Ondo State to Abuja; another Hiace (GKP 178 XA) heading to Ekiti; a Toyota Carina (JMU 648 AA) from Lokoja to Kabba; a Dangote truck transporting 900 bags of cement; and a J5 bus (FTA 313 XV) carrying pepper from Kano to Lagos.
Passengers were reportedly forced to flee into nearby bushes as gunmen attempted to abduct occupants of the vehicles.
A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed that a joint team comprising operatives of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Quick Response Unit, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and hunters swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the attackers.
Meanwhile, the rescue team successfully secured 21 passengers, identified as Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Enenche Paulina, Bright Enenche.
Others are, Rachael Enenche, Deborah Enenche (9 days old), Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of both the Dangote truck and the J5 bus.
However, the operation recorded casualties.
A soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and one vigilante from Odoape community were fatally hit during the shootout. Their identities were yet to be released.
SaharaReporters previously reported that bandits launched an attack along the Osokoko–Obajana axis in Kogi State.
According to sources, two commercial 18-seater buses were targeted during the incident.
One of the buses was successfully attacked, while the second managed to escape.
The exact number of kidnapped passengers remains unknown at this time, though eyewitness confirmed that all those on board the intercepted bus were taken by the attackers, a local medium, Egbe Mekun Parrot reports.
A source revealed that Nigerian Army personnel arrived shortly after the incident and engaged the band!ts in an attempt to repel the assault.
The military response led to the video earlier circulated online, showing travellers waiting on the highway until soldiers fully cleared the road.
It was earlier reported that bandits reportedly launched an attack along the Osokoko–Obajana road on Thursday afternoon, sparking panic among residents and travellers in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, the situation unfolded suddenly, with assailants attempting to block and raid vehicles along the route.
Residents have since warned motorists to avoid the road until security forces secure the area.
In a video circulating online, a woman confirmed that the threat had been neutralised, saying, “Road don clear, all thanks to the Nigerian Army, everybody don dey go back.”
Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident, but eyewitnesses confirmed that soldiers deployed to the area successfully repelled the bandits, preventing any reported casualties or loss of property.
The attack highlights the continuing security challenges along key routes in Kogi State, where travellers frequently face threats from armed gangs.
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