Casualty reported in Ajaokuta attack on travellers

At least one person was killed on Friday when armed assailants opened fire on travellers at Ajaokuta in Kogi state, with reports some victims of the attack were abducted.

The attack occurred on the crucial Ajaokuta Road near Geregu station in Kogi State.

The Kogi police command said security operatives responded quickly to the scene and were able to dislodge the attackers.

“According to him, motorists travelling along Lokoja/Ajaokuta road were hinted by a good Samaritan that some bandits have taken over the road waiting to kidnap travellers, so they quickly moved to a closest town to avoid being kidnapped and put a call to the Police Command,” police spokesperson William Ayah said, according to Daily Independent newspaper.

“However, when the information got to Command, the State Commissioner of Police CP Bethrand Onuoha quickly dispatch Rapid Response Unit to the area who dispatched the criminals into to bush.”

However, one source gave a different account of the incident.

X user @Shaibu_AO, said his uncle witnessed the attack and described a terrifying scene, with the assailants opening fire on vehicles and abducting some individuals, including children.

At least one person, a girl, was killed, he said, displaying a photo of a bloodied young woman online.

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The Ajaokuta road, a crucial artery connecting northern and southern Nigeria, has witnessed a surge in security challenges in recent years. Traditionally bustling, especially during the festive Christmas and New Year seasons, the route has become increasingly perilous.

In August, gunmen ambushed a staff bus transporting workers from the West African Ceramics company, resulting in the reported kidnapping of 14 Indian nationals. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the persistent security threats faced by many Nigerians, particularly along vital transportation corridors.

The escalating security concerns on the Ajaokuta road add to the nation’s woes, already grappling with the aftermath of the recent Plateau state massacre, where approximately 200 people fell victim to violence perpetrated by armed herders.