- Suspected bandits ambushed a commercial bus along the Ijowa–Ijagbe axis in Kogi State on Friday evening, abducting an unknown number of passengers.
- The bus driver was shot at close range after attempting to escape and is currently receiving treatment for critical gunshot injuries at an undisclosed medical facility.
- This attack occurred despite the recent closure of markets and motor parks in the Mopamuro Local Government Area by the state government to curb rising insecurity.
Suspected bandits have reportedly abducted passengers during a violent attack along the Ijowa–Ijagbe axis in Ijagbe, Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident occurred on Friday evening when armed attackers, believed to have emerged from surrounding bushes, ambushed a commercial passenger bus travelling through the area.
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The assailants opened fire indiscriminately, forcing the vehicle to a halt before carrying out the abduction.
During the attack, the driver of the commercial bus was shot at close range by the assailants after attempting to escape from the scene.
He sustained critical gunshot injuries and was immediately rushed to a medical facility for emergency treatment
The identities of the abducted victims have yet to be officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report, while families of the victims are making frantic efforts to establish contact and secure their release.
This attack follows recent measures taken by the Kogi State Government to enhance security in the region.
On February 8, 2026, the government ordered the temporary shutdown of selected markets and motor parks across parts of its West Senatorial District, including Mopamuro Local Government Area, to support intensive security operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements.
Despite these measures, criminality continues to raise its head in the rural communities.
As of press time, the Kogi State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or confirm the number of persons abducted.
