The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety) has raised the alarm over the alleged abduction of 92 travellers from the South-East and South-South along major highways linking the regions to the South-West and North-Central parts of the country.
The organisation said the incidents occurred on August 9 and August 13, 2026, across parts of Kogi, Benue and Ondo states.
In a report issued by its Lead Researcher, Emeka Umeagbalasi, and other officials, InterSociety claimed that 62 of the alleged victims remained unaccounted for, while about 30 had either been rescued or escaped and returned to their families.
The organisation attributed the attacks to what it described as “Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and allied Jihadist Fulani bandits.”
The reported incidents occurred in seven separate attacks around the Auchi-Okene and Itobe-Achigili-Anyigba axes in Kogi State, Otukpo in Benue State and Ore in Ondo State.
InterSociety said about 60 travellers were allegedly abducted on August 9.
It said 20 travellers were attacked along the Auchi-Okene Expressway, involving a 14-seater Sharon bus travelling from Delta State to Abuja and a Toyota Sienna travelling in the opposite direction.
According to the organisation, seven of about 11 passengers in the Sharon bus were abducted while four escaped, while six passengers in the Sienna were also reportedly taken.
InterSociety further alleged that about 40 other travellers were abducted in separate attacks along the Itobe-Achigili-Anyigba highway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The victims were reportedly travelling in three vehicles, including an 18-seater bus said to belong to Peace Mass Transit, a 14-seater Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna.
However, some victims from the Ofu axis were subsequently rescued.
Vanguard had earlier reported that 16 victims abducted along roads in Ofu Local Government Area were rescued the following day during a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police and local vigilantes.
Two of the rescued victims, Ngozi Stephen and Joshua Daniel, later recounted their experiences, saying their abductors demanded ransom and spoke Igala, Fulani and Hausa.
Daniel also disclosed that he sustained a serious injury while attempting to escape.
32 travellers allegedly abducted in Ore
InterSociety said another 32 travellers were allegedly abducted on August 13 in Ore, Ondo State.
According to the organisation, the incident involved an 18-seater bus travelling towards Lagos and another Eastern-originated bus operated by Sunny Bright Mass Transit, carrying passengers from Enugu to Abuja.
It said five passengers were subsequently rescued, while nine others remained unaccounted for in one of the incidents.
The group said one of the abandoned vehicles had broken glass and signs of vandalism, while passengers’ luggage was left behind.
It also claimed that photographs and videos relating to some of the incidents had circulated on social media.
InterSociety said its compilation showed that 62 of the 92 alleged victims remained either in captivity or unaccounted for.
It called for urgent security measures along major highways linking the South-East and South-South to Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country.
The organisation alleged that forests and bush corridors along some of the routes had become hideouts for criminal groups involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes.
It urged political leaders and socio-cultural organisations in the South-East to pressure the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen protection for travellers.
InterSociety also called for stronger intelligence gathering, surveillance and security presence along vulnerable interstate routes.
It urged security agencies to investigate the reported incidents, rescue those still missing and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
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