Kogi: Gunmen kidnap bus passengers, demand N100m ransom

Some gunmen kidnapped about 18 passengers that boarded a bus from Lagos to Abuja along Obajana-Lokoja on Saturday.

It was gathered that bus was moving from Lagos to Abuja on Saturday when it was attacked by gunmen around Obajana heading to Lokoja.

The kidnappers took all of the passengers away, but only the driver managed to escape.

An X user claimed that her friend was among the abductees and the gunmen had demanded the sum of N100 million as ransom to release her.

“Please guys I need your help my friend who went for her convocation in Benin Republic (Cotonou) on our way back from Lagos to Abuja which was yesterday, she was kidnapped at Lokoja, Kogi State, and the kidnappers are demanding N100million for her release due to this incident the driver left the crime scene. I beg you all in the name of God; she needs our help. Help a sister help a friend; help me get my friend back. No amount is too small,” the X user said.

A source privy to the situation added: “She (referring to her friend) was kidnapped in Kogi State and the kidnappers are demanding for 100m. She was travelling with “God is good” motors They kidnapped all the passengers on the bus.”

Another X user said he witnessed the kidnapping incident and narrated how he escaped.

“I drove past the incident yesterday (Sunday) and it was only the driver left. This happened just after Dangote refinery at Obajana heading to Lokoja. All the windscreens were destroyed. The vehicle passed us at Kabba, I was almost a victim just that car overheated at Kabba; so we had to stop.”

Reacting, the transport company, in a post shared on Sunday evening confirmed the incident.

The company wrote: “Hello Morris, thank you for reaching out and for your concern during this difficult time. We understand the urgency and emotions surrounding this situation.

“Please know that we are also deeply affected by this incident, as well as other similar incidences.”

However, the Kogi state police command has yet to confirm the incident.

Our correspondent sent message to the Command Public Relations Officer SP William Ayah for confirmation, but he did not replied to the message as at press time.

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