By Jan Porch l May 17, 2026
LOKOJA — Seven passengers traveling on an Abuja-bound commercial bus were abducted by armed gunmen in Nigeria’s Kogi State, as insecurity along major highways in the country continues to worsen.
The incident occurred along a highway in Kogi when heavily armed assailants intercepted the commercial vehicle and forcefully took away several passengers into a nearby forest. The driver of the bus narrowly escaped the attack and later recounted the terrifying experience in a video circulating online.
According to reports published by Sahara Reporters, the driver explained that the gunmen suddenly emerged on the road and opened the attack before abducting seven passengers from the vehicle. The incident was reportedly disclosed through a video shared online by an Instagram user identified as Ominyimotors.
The latest abduction highlights the persistent security crisis affecting travelers across several parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central and Northwest regions where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common. Highways linking Abuja to neighboring states have repeatedly witnessed attacks by armed groups targeting commuters and commercial transport operators.
Kogi State, which serves as a major transit route connecting Nigeria’s southern and northern regions, has experienced a series of violent incidents involving kidnappings and highway ambushes in recent years. Security agencies have often launched operations in response, but many commuters continue to express fear over traveling on major roads.
Authorities had not officially confirmed the identities of the abducted passengers at the time of reporting, while efforts to locate and rescue the victims were said to be ongoing.