Independence Day Horror: Gunmen Abduct Passengers From 18-Seater Bus In Imo

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

IMO STATE – Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have abducted passengers travelling in an 18-seater commercial bus along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.

The incident, which was captured in a video that has gone viral on social media, reportedly occurred around 5:30 a.m. at a location popularly known as No Man’s Land in Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers intercepted the bus and marched all the passengers into the bush.

Sources said military personnel moved into the area shortly after the abduction in an attempt to rescue the victims.

As of press time, it was unclear whether military and police checkpoints along the axis had resumed operations at the time of the incident.

Residents and motorists who ply the route say the spot has become prone to kidnapping in recent weeks.

“A friend of mine and his family were kidnapped on that route last week.

He said he paid N21m to secure their freedom. A member of my organisation said he and his family escaped but a bus conveying people was seized.

They were all marched into the bush by Fulani bandits who hid in the midst of their cows. The things happening on that route are terrible,” an eyewitness alleged.

Another source said, “Recently, a young lady based in the USA narrated how her brother-in-law, the daughter-in-law and one other person were kidnapped along Ogbaku Road by Fulani herdsmen.

The bandits blocked the highway with their cows. Her family paid N29 million as ransom. She said that the incident forced them to cancel their flight tickets for the Christmas holiday. The security operatives have a lot of questions to answer.”

Police authorities in Imo State had yet to issue an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.