In a disturbing development, an unspecified number of travelers aboard a Siena Bus bound for Abuja were abducted yesterday along the route between Akunu Akoko in Akoko North East Local Government Area and Ayere in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Mr. Felix Obaromi, a resident of Akunu Akoko, confirmed that a joint operation comprising soldiers, police, Amotekun corps, local vigilantes, and hunters is currently underway to locate and rescue the kidnapped victims in the forested area.
Efforts to reach Oba Olufemi Saba, the monarch of Akunu Akoko, for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.
In a separate incident, gunshots, believed to be from kidnappers, were reported between Imesi Ekiti and Irun Akoko, areas where previous kidnappings of travelers have occurred. Farmers returning from their fields along the Ado Ekiti to Ikare road confirmed the incident.
Mr. Ade Ikusemori, a resident of Irun Akoko, who witnessed the situation, appealed to security agencies, hunters, and volunteers to swiftly intervene and rescue those abducted.
The exact number of kidnapped individuals remains unclear, and the affected road has since been deserted by travelers.