Gunmen kill soldier, abduct ‘13 passengers’ on Okene–Auchi highway

Gunmen disguised in military uniforms have killed a servingsoldier and abducted 13 passengers during coordinated attacks on two commercialvehicles along the Okene–Auchi highway. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorismpublication, the incident occurred at about 5:35 pm on Tuesday when gunmenintercepted a green Toyota Sienna, conveying nine passengers from Abuja toDelta state. The publication reported that six passengers were abductedfrom the vehicle, while three others were rescued. Zagazola Makama added that the attackers also stopped awhite Toyota Hiace bus, conveying 11 passengers from Delta to Abuja, during thesame operation. “Seven passengers were abducted from the Hiace bus, whilefour were rescued,” Makama reported. The publication noted that a serving non-commissionedofficer of the Nigerian Army, who was among the passengers and had identifiedhimself as a soldier, was shot by the attackers. “He sustained gunshot injuries to his legs and thighs andwas later confirmed dead,” Makama reported. Both vehicles were recovered and towed to a police stationfor safekeeping, while five empty shells of 7.62mm ammunition suspected to befrom an AK-47 rifle, were recovered at the scene as exhibits. The corpse of the deceased soldier was deposited at theOkengwe general hospital mortuary for autopsy, while statements were obtainedfrom the rescued victims to aid investigation. Meanwhile troops have launched joint rescue operations,including bush combing and intensive surveillance along the highway, in orderto rescue the abducted passengers and arrest the perpetrators. The publication said that authorities assured motorists thatmeasures were being intensified to secure the Okene–Auchi corridor and preventfurther attacks. Moses Yamu, the public relations officer of the Edo statepolice command, did not respond to calls and messages as of press time.

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