|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
IBADAN, August 18, 2025 â A tragic incident unfolded on the LagosâIbadan Expressway on Saturday, August 17, when gunmenâallegedly of Fulani originâambushed a private vehicle, killing the driver, injuring a passenger, and abducting the man’s wife. The attack occurred near the Ogere axis of the highway, a stretch increasingly associated with violent crimes and abductions in recent years.
According to preliminary reports from local security sources and eyewitness accounts, the assailants emerged from the surrounding forested area and opened fire on the vehicle, causing immediate fatal injuries to the male driver. A second occupant sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. The victimâs wife was reportedly taken by the attackers into the bush, prompting a manhunt by law enforcement agencies.
đ A Pattern of Violence
The LagosâIbadan Expressway, one of Nigeriaâs busiest transport corridors, has witnessed a disturbing rise in attacks attributed to armed groups operating in the region. While the identity of the perpetrators in Saturdayâs incident remains under investigation, similar attacks in the past have been linked to criminal elements allegedly posing as Fulani herdsmen.
Security analysts note that the porous nature of the surrounding terrain, coupled with limited surveillance infrastructure, has made the expressway a hotspot for highway robberies and kidnappings. In previous incidents, victims have been abducted for ransom, often held in remote forest camps.
đĄď¸ Police Response and Investigation
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that a tactical unit has been deployed to comb the area for the kidnappers and rescue the abducted woman. Authorities have urged commuters to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, while also pledging to intensify patrols along vulnerable stretches of the highway.
A spokesperson for the command stated:
âWe are treating this as a high-priority case. Our anti-kidnapping unit is actively pursuing leads and coordinating with local vigilante groups to locate the victim and apprehend the suspects.â
âď¸ Broader Implications
The incident has reignited public concern over the safety of Nigeriaâs major roadways and the broader issue of rural banditry. Civil society organizations have called for enhanced security measures, including drone surveillance, highway checkpoints, and community policing initiatives.
While the ethnic identity of the attackers remains unconfirmed, the repeated attribution of such crimes to Fulani gunmen has fueled tensions and raised questions about profiling and the need for evidence-based investigations.
Nigeria police Officer pic by rawpixel
