Thelma Osatohanmwen
The abduction of 14 passengers traveling from Umuahia, Abia State, to Abuja has left families in distress as kidnappers demand a ransom of N15 million for the release of each victim.
The incident occurred on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Inele-Eteke in Kogi State, sparking concerns about the safety of travelers along the route.
According to reports, the victims were aboard two buses belonging to God Is Good Motors (GIGM) and ABC Transport when they were hijacked by unknown gunmen.
Social media influencer Chude Nnamdi, whose wife was among the passengers, revealed that the kidnappers contacted him and demanded for the ransom.
Kogi State police command confirmed the incident, stating that the DPO, local vigilantes, and hunters are conducting rescue operations in the area.
Despite the efforts, the exact number of kidnapped individuals remains unclear.
Meanwhile, ABC Transport Plc provided insight into the circumstances surrounding the hijacking, stating that the incident occurred at Ayele Adumu village in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State.
The company assured cooperation with security agencies to resolve the situation swiftly, emphasizing the safety of passengers and crew as their top priority.
However, President of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), Nonso Ubajaka, declined to comment on the matter.
The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) condemned the killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State and vowed to tackle insecurity in the South-West region.
In a statement, OPC’s Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, expressed determination to assist the government in addressing the surge of killings and kidnappings in Yoruba land.
The organization called on the federal and state governments to involve OPC in efforts to combat security challenges and ensure the safety of residents in the region.