The police authorities in Ondo have confirmed unknown gunmen hijacked a school bus in Ondo but did not kidnap pupils.

The school bus attendant initially held hostage by the hoodlums was released, the police told Peoples Gazette.

“The suspects had dropped the attendant off as they made away with the car,” Tee-Leo Ikoro, a police spokesman in the state, said. “All the tactical teams in the state have been briefed on the incident and are on high alert to locate the vehicle and apprehend the suspects.”

He also said schools, banks, and other public facilities would receive additional security, as the suspects’ intentions are unknown at the moment.

There were reports that gunmen hijacked a school bus from a housing estate in Oba-Ile, Akure North local government area.

The incident, according to a witness, occurred at about 6;45am on Thursday morning when the driver of the bus and the attendant were going around to pick pupils.

The vehicle’s registration number was LSD 853 FJ. The bus had ‘Chimola Schools’ inscribed on it.

The armed hoodlums, reportedly riding on motorcycles, had forced the vehicle to stop, dragged the driver out, and drove off with the attendant, later dropped off.