Suspected kidnappers have attacked a commercial bus operated by GUO Transport Company along the busy Benin–Ore Expressway, killing the driver and abducting all passengers onboard.
The incident, according to early reports, occurred when armed men ambushed the vehicle while it was en route to the South-East region. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the bus, fatally wounding the driver before forcing the vehicle to a halt.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the assailants then ordered the passengers out of the vehicle at gunpoint and marched them into a nearby forest. The exact number of victims has yet to be officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
The Benin–Ore corridor, a major transit route linking the South-West and South-East regions of Nigeria, has witnessed a series of security incidents in recent months, raising concerns among travellers and transport operators.
Security agencies are said to have been alerted, with efforts reportedly underway to track down the perpetrators and secure the release of the abducted passengers. However, authorities have yet to issue a formal statement on the incident.
The attack has further heightened fears over the safety of road travel across parts of the country, particularly along highways known for frequent ambushes and kidnapping activities.
Stakeholders in the transport sector have repeatedly called for increased security patrols and surveillance along major routes, urging government authorities to take urgent steps to curb the rising wave of highway crimes.
As families of the victims await updates, the latest incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria’s road networks and the growing risks faced by commuters nationwide.
