Bandits Strike Along Osokoko–Obajana Axis
Bandits launched an attack along the Osokoko–Obajana road in Kogi State, targeting two commercial 18-seater buses and other vehicles.
According to reports from Egbe Mekun Parrot, one of the buses was successfully intercepted, while the second managed to escape. Eyewitnesses confirmed that all passengers on the attacked bus were abducted, though the exact number of victims remains unknown.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, sparking panic among residents and travellers in the area.
Military Response and Road Clearance
Sources revealed that Nigerian Army personnel arrived shortly after the attack and engaged the bandits in a firefight to repel the assault.
The military response led to a video circulating online showing travellers waiting on the highway until soldiers secured and cleared the road.
In one of the videos, a woman could be heard saying, “Road don clear, all thanks to the Nigerian Army, everybody don dey go back.”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the soldiers successfully repelled the attackers, preventing further casualties or property loss.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement, but residents have warned motorists to avoid the route until security forces fully secure the area.
Ongoing Insecurity in Kogi State
The attack underscores the persistent security challenges along major routes in Kogi State, where armed gangs frequently target travellers for ransom.
Just a day earlier, Kiri High School in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area, came under attack when bandits stormed the community in an attempted abduction.
Members of the Kiri Vigilante Group quickly mobilised and rescued all abducted students, preventing a mass kidnapping.
However, the operation resulted in the death of one vigilante and a civilian casualty, identified by residents as a Hausa man.
Broader Context of Rising Abductions
The Osokoko–Obajana attack comes amid a wave of mass kidnappings across Nigeria’s north-central region, where over 400 people, mostly schoolchildren, have been abducted since mid-November 2025.
The surge in attacks has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and global religious leaders, who have urged the Nigerian government to intensify counter-banditry operations and protect vulnerable communities.
Security analysts warn that the frequency of highway ambushes and school attacks reflects a deepening national security crisis, demanding coordinated military and intelligence responses.