Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed a commercial bus driver and abducted an unspecified number of passengers along the Ore–Benin expressway in Edo State, in yet another attack highlighting growing insecurity on Nigeria’s highways.
The incident, which occurred on April 20, 2026, involved a bus belonging to GUO Transport Company Limited travelling from Lagos to the eastern part of the country. According to reports, the attackers ambushed the vehicle, opened fire, and forced it to a halt before shooting the driver dead and whisking away several passengers into nearby forests.
A disturbing video circulating online captured the aftermath of the attack, with a narrator alleging that most, if not all, passengers were taken by the assailants. A child was reportedly left behind at the scene.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of travellers along the busy highway corridor, which has witnessed repeated attacks in recent months.
Confirming the development, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the attack occurred within the jurisdiction of the Iguobazuwa Police Division.
She disclosed that a manhunt had been launched for the perpetrators, with coordinated search operations already underway.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed adjoining divisions to join in bush-combing efforts to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators,” she said.
Ikoedem added that security measures were being intensified to improve safety along the highway and prevent further incidents.
The attack underscores the persistent threat of kidnapping and violent crime on major Nigerian roads, with travellers increasingly vulnerable to ambushes despite ongoing security interventions.
