Gunmen launch deadly Kogi kidnapping along Itobe–Ajegwu highway, abducting passengers in two buses. Security forces begin urgent rescue mission.
A tragic Kogi kidnapping incident has left several travellers missing after armed men ambushed two Toyota buses along the Itobe–Ajegwu–Anyigba road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The early morning attack has reignited public fear and intensified debate over the worsening insecurity across Nigeria’s highways.
According to eyewitness reports, the Kogi kidnapping took place around 5 a.m. on Thursday, when heavily armed men intercepted the two buses, using a trailer to block the road shortly after a security checkpoint near the scene.
The ambush occurred between Ojiwo’-Ajengo and Mamereboh villages — a stretch long notorious for violent robberies and kidnappings.
Residents said the gunmen operated with military-like precision, forcing all passengers out of the vehicles and leading them into the surrounding forest.
One of the buses, identified by its registration number KG: KPA 622LG, was said to be heading from Ankpa to Abuja when it was caught in the trap.
A local resident, Unubi Ademu of Achigili village, described the incident as horrifying.
“The road was littered with abandoned luggage, ID cards, and documents. We can’t say exactly how many people were taken, but one of the buses came from Ankpa. All the passengers, including both drivers, were taken away by the kidnappers,” he said.
Another witness noted that the criminals seemed well-organized and possibly familiar with the terrain.
“They set up a perfect blockade. It happened very fast,” he added, emphasizing that the attack was strategically executed to evade nearby security patrols.
Shortly after news of the Kogi kidnapping broke, combined teams of soldiers, police officers, local hunters, and vigilantes reportedly launched a joint rescue operation.
Security patrols were seen racing through villages along the Itobe–Ajegwu–Anyigba highway in pursuit of the abductors.
An eyewitness identified as Evangelist James confirmed the movement of the rescue teams.
“We saw military vehicles speeding toward the forest. Later, a relative informed me that security operatives, hunters, and vigilantes had begun tracking the kidnappers. They are combing the bush to rescue the victims,” he said.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that gunfire was heard deep within the forest shortly after the rescue operation began, indicating possible contact between the kidnappers and security forces.
However, as of the time of this report, no official statement has been released by the Kogi State Police Command or the State Government.
The latest Kogi kidnapping adds to a string of violent incidents that have plagued highways linking Kogi State to Abuja and the South-East.
Over the past year, criminal gangs have increasingly targeted travellers, often abducting entire busloads of passengers and demanding huge ransoms.
Transport operators and residents say the Itobe–Ajegwu–Anyigba highway has become a danger zone.
“Everyone knows that part of the road is unsafe,” said a driver who plies the route. “Even during the day, we drive with fear. The government needs to act now before more lives are lost.”
Community leaders in Ofu and Dekina local government areas have repeatedly called for the establishment of permanent security outposts along the highway to deter future attacks. They also urged authorities to increase surveillance using drones and highway monitoring systems.
“This Kogi kidnapping is not the first, and sadly, it might not be the last unless something urgent is done,” a traditional leader from Ajegwu lamented.
“Our people cannot continue to live under constant fear of abduction.”
Security analysts believe that the attackers may be part of organized kidnapping networks operating across central Nigeria. The dense forest terrain surrounding the Itobe–Ajegwu axis provides natural hideouts and escape routes, complicating rescue efforts.
A reliable security source disclosed that special tactical units are already patrolling known hideouts and monitoring possible movement patterns of the kidnappers. “We are using both air and ground surveillance,” the source said.
“The joint task force is determined to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The Kogi State Government, which has often claimed progress in curbing insecurity, is now under renewed pressure to restore public confidence.
Human rights groups and civil society organizations have also urged the federal authorities to deploy more military assets to Kogi’s volatile zones.
Meanwhile, relatives of the abducted passengers are in deep distress. Some have gathered around motor parks and police divisions in Ankpa and Itobe, seeking information about their loved ones.
“My younger sister left for Abuja on Thursday morning. Since then, her phone has been switched off,” one distraught family member said tearfully.
The Kogi kidnapping has once again highlighted the human cost of insecurity and the trauma faced by ordinary Nigerians trying to go about their daily lives. Many now avoid long-distance travel altogether, opting for night curfews or local alternatives out of fear.
Security experts insist that Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping must go beyond reactive responses. They recommend stronger intelligence gathering, improved community policing, and technological surveillance to identify and neutralize threats before they occur.
“The Kogi kidnapping is a grim reminder that without consistent patrols, rapid response units, and community engagement, our highways will continue to serve as open hunting grounds for criminals,” one security analyst warned.
As the rescue mission continues, Nigerians are once again demanding that both state and federal governments take decisive action to make the roads safe. Until then, the Itobe–Ajegwu–Anyigba highway remains a symbol of fear and insecurity in the heart of Kogi State.
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