An unspecified number of passengers travelling in two commercial buses from the eastern part of the country enroute to Abuja have been confirmed kidnapped along Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi State.
A source said that the GIG bus left Umuahia at 7:30 am on Saturday for Abuja.
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The transport company, GIG said they had contacted security operatives and were tracking the abductees.
The incident has been confirmed by the Kogi State police command.
According to William Aya, the spokesperson of the Kogi State police command, the area commander who led his team to the area saw the two buses but did not see the occupants and, therefore, could not ascertain the number of people on the two buses.
“Yes, the incident happened, but the DPO, local vigilantes, and hunters have been in the bush to rescue the victims,” Aya said in a statement on Monday in Lokoja.
He added: “The CP has deployed an additional Tactical Squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional police personnel to the area to continue with the bush combing and to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.”
“The report reaching me this morning is that a GIG and ABC transport buses heading to Abuja were hijacked by kidnappers yesterday (Sunday) in Kogi State.
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“The GIG bus left Umuahia at 7:30am and was hijacked at Kogi State. GIG Company said they have contacted security services and they were tracking them.
The kidnappers phoned this morning (Monday) via my wife’s phone and were demanding N15 million,” said one Chude, whose wife is among those abducted.
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