Police Debunk Kidnap Report on Kabba–Okene Road, Say No Passenger Was Abducted

Police Debunk Kidnap Report on Kabba–Okene Road, Say No Passenger Was Abducted

The Kogi State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that bandits attacked an 18-seater commercial bus and abducted passengers along the Kabba–Okene Road.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the Command described the claims as misleading and clarified that no passenger was abducted or injured during the incident.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on June 17, 2026, when a commercial bus driven by one Ojo, an indigene of Kabba, was transporting a load of cocoyams to Ibilo.

The driver reportedly noticed unusual lights ahead on the road and, while attempting to make a U-turn, observed some unidentified individuals moving in his direction. Fearing for his safety, he abandoned the vehicle and ran to a nearby military checkpoint along the highway.

The Police Command emphasized that there were no passengers on board the vehicle at the time of the incident, contrary to reports suggesting that travellers were abducted.

“It is important to state clearly that no passenger was abducted or harmed, as there were no passengers on board at the time of the incident,” the statement noted.

The Command further explained that the situation was handled at the military checkpoint and was not reported to the police because no kidnapping, attack or casualty occurred.

It added that the cocoyams being transported were later transferred to another vehicle and successfully conveyed to their destination without any further incident.

The Police urged members of the public to disregard reports of a bandit attack and passenger abduction on the route, stressing that the circulating information does not reflect the true circumstances of the incident.