Suspected terrorists launched an attack on commuters along the Ibadan–Ijebu road in Oyo State last Saturday, leaving one person dead and sparking fresh concerns over highway security.
Confirming the incident, Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the assailants attempted to abduct passengers but were unsuccessful.
“There was an attempted kidnapping but nobody was abducted. One life was unfortunately lost,” Olayinka said.
Videos circulating on X from the scene showed a commercial bus riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood, highlighting the intensity of the attack.
The incident comes amid a surge in highway-related crimes across Nigeria.
Last week, gunmen abducted 17 passengers from a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State.
However, according to a counter-insurgency publication, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) later rescued 13 of the victims, while three others managed to escape earlier.
Security sources cited by the report said the rescue operation took place in a forest in Okete ward, Ohimini LGA, following an intensive search effort.
The report also addressed earlier speculation about the attackers’ identity, stating:
“Security sources further clarified that the perpetrators were local criminal elements in Benue and not Fulani bandits as initially speculated in some quarters.”
“The attack was, however, hastily attributed to external groups without proper verification.”
