Fear gripped commuters in Kogi State on Thursday after gunmen ambushed a commercial bus along the Itobe–Anyagba Expressway, abducting nine passengers.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared details of the incident on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, said the attack happened around 4:20 p.m. near Ogbabo Junction.

According to reports, the armed attackers suddenly emerged from the bush, firing shots to force a Peace Mass Transit bus to stop. While the driver, Sunday Okechi, and six passengers managed to escape, nine others were seized and dragged into the bush.

Security operatives later arrived at the scene and recovered the abandoned bus, registered ENZ-55 XS, along with a blue Toyota Carina ‘E’. Both vehicles are now in safe custody.

Joint teams of security agencies, members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, and local hunters have launched a search-and-rescue operation to free the kidnapped victims and track down the gunmen.

The attack has sparked renewed calls for stronger security measures along the state’s highways to protect travelers.