Operatives of the Kogi State Police Command have rescued a 56-year-old abducted passenger and arrested seven suspects linked to a violent highway attack along the Ayere–Kabba Road.

The victim, Adoun Julius, was among passengers travelling on a Chisco Transport Company bus, registration number KJA 405 YJ, from Lagos to Abuja when armed assailants ambushed the vehicle. The gunmen forced the bus to stop, robbed passengers, and dragged several people into the surrounding bush.

Acting on distress calls, police tactical teams launched an immediate response, combing the area and engaging the kidnappers. During the operation, Julius was freed unhurt while seven of the suspected attackers were apprehended. The Chisco bus was also recovered from the scene.

The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the case. Intensive bush-combing and intelligence-led search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to locate and free other passengers still in captivity.

Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, commended the operatives for their swift action and urged residents to provide timely information to help track down fleeing members of the gang. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to securing highways across the state and dismantling criminal networks targeting travellers.

The command added that security presence has been increased along the Ayere–Kabba axis and other vulnerable routes, with patrols and checkpoints to prevent a repeat of such attacks.

Investigations are continuing to determine whether the suspects are part of a larger syndicate operating across state borders.