Suspected gunmen hijacked a passenger-loaded bus on Monday evening in the Ngor Okpala area of Imo State, sending commuters fleeing in terror. The bus was travelling from Owerri to Aba, Abia State, when the attackers struck.
Eyewitnesses reported that the armed men emerged from the bush, fired sporadically, and took control of the vehicle. Panic ensued as other drivers scrambled to avoid the gunfire, with passengers abandoning vehicles and running into surrounding areas for safety.
“They came out of the bush and started shooting, then kidnapped a fully loaded bus. Many passengers ran into the bush or fled back the way they came. It was terrifying,” one source recounted.
The incident has revived fears in the region, which has a history of armed abductions along the Owerri-Aba axis. In May 2025, about 18 passengers were kidnapped in a similar attack, and weeks later, more than 20 others fell victim in the same area, with at least two fatalities reported.
Authorities in Imo State have yet to release an official statement. Calls and messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, were not answered at the time of reporting.
Security analysts have warned that recurring attacks on commercial vehicles could disrupt travel and commerce, urging heightened vigilance and a stronger police presence along the corridor.
Residents continue to express fear and demand urgent intervention, stressing that without effective security measures, commuters and transport operators remain highly vulnerable to violent crime in the area.
