KIDNAPPERS of 14 travellers in two buses from Umuahia, Abia State, to Abuja, who were abducted at Inele Eteke, in Olalamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, have called a husband of one of their victims, demanding a ransom of N15 million to free her.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Inele-Eteke, Ogugu new road in Kogi East senatorial district.
A social media influencer, Chude Nnamdi, who broke the news on his X handle, said the two buses belong to God Is Good Motors, GIGM, and ABC Transport.
Chude said his wife was in one of the hijacked buses but could not ascertain the number of persons in the two buses.
“The GIGM bus left Umuahia at 7.30am and was hijacked in Kogi State. The company said they have contacted security services and they are tracking them.
”The kidnappers phoned this morning via my wife’s phone and were demanding N15 million,” Nnamdi said.
In another post, yesterday, Nnamdi said: “Passengers in two loaded buses were kidnapped and everywhere is just quiet like it is nothing. Is this the new normal? Two buses for that matter!”
He attached a message from one of the eyewitnesses who said: “Apparently, this happened around 3pm, along Olamaboro LGA, after one of the sharp road bends, some distance away from the police checkpoint.
“Both buses were five minutes in front of us. Only the GIGM driver escaped but with lots of actively bleeding cuts on his body.
“It was really scary. That spot is not really far from the boundary between Olamaboro and Enugu State.”
Kogi State police command confirmed the incident yesterday, as the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, said the area commander who led his team to the area saw the two buses but did not see the occupants and, so could not tell the number of people kidnapped.
“Yes, the incident happened but the DPO, local vigilantes, and hunters have been in the bush in an effort to rescue the victims,” Aya said in a statement, yesterday.
The PPRO added: “The CP has deployed 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 (yesterday) is that a GIGM and ABC Transport buses heading to Abuja were hijacked by kidnappers in Kogi State.
Tactical team rescues driver of GIG“Meanwhile, the tactical team set up by the Kogi State police command, the DPO, local vigilantes and hunters have reportedly rescued the driver of the GIGM bus, Mr Godwin
Oniovosa.“Confirming the rescue in a short statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP William Aya, said: “God is Good Motors was with 12 passengers while ABC was with 2 Passengers. Meanwhile, the driver of the God is Good Motors, Mr Godwin Oniovosa has been rescued. Bush combing continues.”
ABC mgt reacts, ALBON keeps mum
Reacting to the issue upon inquiry, yesterday, the management of ABC Transport Plc explained the circumstances leading to the hijack of the buses.
The company said in a statement: “What did occur was that at about 1:30pm on Saturday, February 3 2024, at a village called Ayele Adumu, in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State, unknown persons blocked and attacked oncoming vehicles, among which was an ABC Sienna en-route Enugu to Abuja with two passengers.
“”The two passengers and the bus driver were led into the bush alongside other passengers of other vehicles and have since been held hostage.
“ABC Transport is actively cooperating with relevant security agencies to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible.“”Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure a prompt and thorough resolution to the issue at hand.“”We understand the concerns raised by the public due to the reports in circulation, and we urge everyone to rely on official statements from ABC Transport for accurate and up-to-date information. Our team is working tirelessly to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
“We appreciate the cooperation of our passengers, stakeholders, and the public in allowing us the time and space to address this matter responsibly. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for our valued passengers and staff.”
On his part, President of the Association of Luxury Owners of Nigeria, ALBON, Mr Nonso Ubajaka, refused to comment on the matter. He dropped the phone when called and refused to pick further calls.