The police and the military have rescued eight kidnapped passengers along in a joint operation in Kogi State.

 

 

 

 

 

It was gathered that bandits attacked a Big Joe Ventures Ltd Toyota Hiace commuter Bus (Edo FUG 13 XY) along the Okene-Auchi road and kidnapped 23 passengers on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The majority of the passengers are young lawyers returning from Abuja on their way back to Auchi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The abductors later demanded N100 million ransom for each of the victims.

 

 

 

 

 

The spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Ayah, who confirmed the incident stated that the kidnappers abducted all 12 passengers commuting from Abuja to Benin in Edo State.

 

 

 

“Subsequently, the DPO Okene Div CSP Nasir Muhammad immediately mobilised police personnel in conjunction with military and vigilantes in pursuit of the kidnappers,” the PPRO stated.

 

 

 

“In the process, 8 victims, including the driver, were rescued while efforts are still underway to rescue the remaining 4 victims and to make possible the arrest of the perpetrators.”

 

 

 

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin also confirmed the rescue in a statement on Sunday, adding that concerted efforts are on to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining four victims.