Highway Horror in Kogi: Bandits Ambush 18-Seater Bus on Osokoko–Obajana Road, Abduct All Passengers in Broad-Day Attack

Fear rippled across Kogi State on Thursday after armed bandits launched a chilling attack on the Osokoko–Obajana road, intercepting an 18-seater commercial bus and abducting every passenger onboard in what witnesses described as a sudden and terrifying ambush. The attackers, believed to be part of a fast-growing network of armed groups operating across Nigeria’s north-central corridor, opened fire as they attempted to block multiple vehicles travelling along the route. While one bus was successfully seized, a second narrowly escaped the blockade, swerving away in panic as gunshots pierced through the air.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack was swift and highly coordinated. The bandits reportedly emerged from the bush, forcing the commercial bus to a halt before marching the passengers into the forest. By the time security forces arrived, the criminals had vanished with their captives. The exact number of abducted victims remains uncertain, but those who witnessed the incident maintain that all occupants of the bus were taken without exception.

Shortly after the ambush, military personnel arrived at the scene and engaged with the attackers, triggering a brief exchange of gunfire. A viral video circulating online showed stranded motorists huddled together on the highway, waiting anxiously as soldiers attempted to secure the area. The footage captured the palpable tension of the moment — travellers unsure whether to move forward or retreat, unsure if more attackers were hiding in the surrounding thickets. Witnesses later confirmed that the troops successfully cleared the road and repelled the assault, with no casualties or property losses reported in the aftermath.

Residents and local drivers have since warned travellers to avoid the Osokoko–Obajana axis until security agencies stabilise the area. The usually busy route, which serves as a major artery for commercial transport in Kogi, has become increasingly dangerous in recent months due to frequent attacks by criminal groups targeting motorists, commuters, and traders. The absence of an immediate official statement from authorities has further fueled anxiety, as communities wait for clarification on the fate of the abducted passengers.

This disturbing assault marks yet another addition to the escalating security challenges in Kogi State. Barely 24 hours earlier, armed men attempted to abduct students from Kiri High School in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area. Thanks to the swift response of local vigilantes, all the abducted students were rescued unharmed. However, the operation came at a heavy cost — one vigilante and a member of the community were killed during the confrontation, highlighting the grave risks local defenders continue to face as they support overstretched security forces.

Security analysts warn that Thursday’s highway ambush is part of a broader pattern that has taken root across Nigeria's north-central region. Since mid-November alone, more than 400 people — the majority of them schoolchildren — have been abducted in a series of brazen attacks spanning Kogi, Niger, Kaduna, and Plateau. These incidents have drawn sharp criticism from both local communities and international observers who fear the rising trend signals a dangerous expansion of criminal networks that have long plagued the northwest.

The spike in kidnappings has been attributed to a mix of factors, including inadequate security presence across vast rural areas, porous forest routes that serve as hideouts for criminal gangs, and increasing financial incentives for abductors who demand ransoms that straining families often struggle to pay. The Osokoko–Obajana ambush fits squarely into this pattern, with bandits targeting a vulnerable, poorly safeguarded road where escape routes into nearby forests are plentiful.

As the search for the abducted passengers begins, families across Kogi await news of their loved ones with growing concern. Without clarity from authorities, rumours continue to swirl — some suggesting that the bandits may be moving the captives deeper into the forest, others fearing that the victims may be split into smaller groups to complicate rescue efforts. For communities already living under the weight of insecurity, Thursday’s attack is yet another painful reminder of the fragility of safety in areas that were once considered peaceful.

Transportation unions have issued urgent advisories to commercial drivers, urging them to suspend travel along the Osokoko–Obajana axis until security forces complete clearance operations. Many drivers have complied, leaving the usually active stretch of highway eerily quiet. Business owners who rely on the road for supply movement have also raised concerns about potential disruptions, noting that repeated attacks could impact local commerce, inflate prices, and further destabilise an already fragile regional economy.

The Kogi State Government is expected to release an official statement addressing the incident, outlining steps being taken to rescue the abducted passengers and restore order along the troubled route. Security agencies are also anticipated to intensify surveillance and reinforce patrols in key flashpoints across the state. Meanwhile, civil society groups are calling for a broader national strategy to confront banditry, insisting that piecemeal responses are no longer sufficient in the face of increasingly organised criminal operations.

For many Nigerians, the attack serves as yet another grim headline in a year marked by rising kidnappings, community displacement, and widening security gaps. But for the families of those now held captive, it is a personal and deeply distressing nightmare — one filled with fear, uncertainty, and desperate hope. As night falls over the forests surrounding Osokoko and Obajana, the fate of the abducted passengers hangs in the balance, while the nation watches and waits for decisive action that could mean the difference between rescue and tragedy.

The Osokoko–Obajana ambush has once again thrust Kogi State into the national spotlight, underscoring the urgent need for robust, coordinated security measures to protect commuters and counter the growing influence of armed groups in the region. Whether this attack becomes a catalyst for meaningful intervention or fades into the long list of unresolved cases will depend on the speed and determination of security agencies in the coming days. For now, the road remains a symbol of danger, fear, and the ongoing struggle for safety in one of Nigeria’s most critical transportation corridors.