Suspected armed bandits have hijacked two transport buses travelling to Abuja, kidnapping no less than 14 passengers on board.

The vehicles, belonging to the ABC and God Is Good Motors (GIGM) transport companies, were travelling from Abia State en route from Kogi to Abuja.

The incident came exactly a week after gunmen ambushed a school bus in Ekiti, abducting the school pupils who were returning home.

However, it was gathered that the kidnapped victims included two passengers from ABC transport and 12 from the GIGM transport.

Williams Aya, the police spokesman in Kogi, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Monday.

“God is Good Motors was with 12 Passengers, while ABC was with 2 passengers. Meanwhile, the driver of the God is Good, Mr Godwin Oniovosa, was later rescued,” Mr Aya added.

He explained that the Joint Task Force, comprising security agencies from the police, army and civil defence, was now on the trail of the kidnappers.

“CP has deployed an additional tactical squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Couter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional police personnel to the area to continue with the bush-combing and to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt,” Mr Aya said.

The latest abduction comes amid the worsening security challenges in the country under President Bola Tinubu’s watch.