1 hospitalized as bandits open fire on passengers’ bus in Kogi
Armed bandits have reportedly opened fire on a commercial bus along the Ijowa-Mopo Road in the Isanlu community of Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State, injuring many of the occupants. The incident, our correspondent learnt, occurred on Sunday around 9 pm when the suspected bandits opened fire upon sighting the bus, which […]
The victim at the hospital
Armed bandits have reportedly opened fire on a commercial bus along the Ijowa-Mopo Road in the Isanlu community of Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State, injuring many of the occupants.
The incident, our correspondent learnt, occurred on Sunday around 9 pm when the suspected bandits opened fire upon sighting the bus, which was fully loaded with passengers on the highway.
According to initial reports, the passengers all managed to escape the attack, but several of them sustained gunshot injuries.
“The driver of the bus negotiated out of the barricade of their attackers amidst gunfire. All the passengers fled for safety as the driver managed the vehicle to a halt; however, some of them sustained injuries in the ensuing confusion,” said a man who wished to be simply identified as Adeyemo in the Isanlu community.
He added, “But with the help of the security operatives, they returned to the scene on Monday morning to recover the luggage they left behind.”
The source further hinted that one victim, said to have sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound from the alleged attack, has been admitted to a hospital in Isanlu.
The chairman of Yagba East Local Government, Dare Joshua, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
“The Yagba East LG chairman visited the victim of the bandits’ attack along Ijowa-Mopo Road on November 2, this morning at General Hospital, Isanlu, and has offset the total medical expenses incurred by the victim,” the statement read.
The statement added that the chairman also approved the use of the local government’s ambulance, including fueling it to and from Lokoja to ensure a smooth transfer for further medical care.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP William Aya, did not respond to calls and a text message sent to him on the incident.