Several travellers have reportedly been abducted by armed men suspected to be bandits along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday morning around the Umunoha axis, where the attackers allegedly intercepted two commercial buses travelling from Onitsha towards Owerri.
A source familiar with the incident, who requested anonymity, said several passengers were taken away by the attackers. The exact number of people abducted had not been established as of the time of filing the report.
According to the source, the attackers allegedly took advantage of slow-moving traffic caused by cattle crossing the expressway.
“The buses were coming from Onitsha side of the road; it seems they were returning from Lagos.
“Many people were kidnapped. They usually launch attacks when their cattle are crossing the road because they know vehicles will slow down.”
The reported incident comes amid concerns over kidnapping along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, with some victims reportedly released after the payment of ransom.
The source also alleged that a man and his daughter were kidnapped along the same road about three weeks ago and were later released after ₦29 million was reportedly paid as ransom.
However, the circumstances surrounding that alleged abduction and ransom payment could not be independently verified.
The latest report had also not been officially confirmed by the Imo State Police Command as of the time of filing.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, had yet to respond to enquiries concerning the reported attack.
The number of victims, identities of those abducted and whereabouts of the affected passengers remain unclear pending official confirmation.
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